By Ava Simone Collier

Tom Joyner, the celebrated and hugely popular syndicated radio morning personality, is married to Donna Richardson-Joyner, health and fitness expert. Tom is also the Founder of The Tom Joyner Foundation, which helps to provide students with scholarships for education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs.) Tom is also a major advocate of voter registration and promotes this on air throughout the year. He also encourages his radio audience to seek regular medical care by promoting “Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day.” His purpose is to have a family or friend to accompany another family member or friend to the doctor for preventative checkups or treatment of already existing health conditions.

Donna Richardson-Joyner is dedicated to educating and empowering women, children and families about healthier lifestyles. Currently, her fitness video, Sweating in the Spirit, is the #1 fitness video in the country. In 2006 former President George Bush appointed Donna to serve on the President’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sports. Donna was also inducted into the Fitness Hall of Fame and Essence Magazine named her as one of America’s most inspiring women.

“Our official wedding anniversary is on Valentine’s Day so that makes it doubly special for us every year,” says Tom. He and Donna met in 1997 when she appeared as a guest on his radio program. The couple later married in a wonderfully festive, party-like atmosphere in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was a celebration which included musical guests Gladys Knight, The O’jays, Charlie Wilson and Bootsy Collins. Former Atlanta Mayor, Bill Campbell, Earl Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise, comedians George Wallace and Michael Colyar were also among the 300 guests. The happy couple honeymooned in beautiful Venice, Italy.

When I asked Tom about romance and keeping the love alive, he shared “I’ve always tried to surprise her by doing things that are out of the ordinary. One year Patti Labelle cooked us dinner and another year I reunited her favorite group, After 7, and got them to perform.” He and Donna also believe that it’s important to spend quality time together to balance their busy and hectic schedules. “We enjoy just hanging out in Miami on the weekends more than anything,” Tom said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.” There was no doubt in my mind that this loving duo relishes their quality time together, even when it’s not under the most “ideal” circumstances. “Our home in Miami was a valentine’s gift a few years ago,” explained Tom. “We spent valentine’s night there on an air mattress because it hadn’t been furnished yet. Since Donna is as busy as I am, any time we spend together is premium.” Tom jokingly added, “We have real furniture now!”