Patricia Southall, widely known today as Pat Smith, is an American philanthropist, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and former beauty queen who first gained national recognition after competing in the Miss USA pageant. While many people know her as the wife of NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and the former wife of actor and comedian Martin Lawrence, her public story extends far beyond those relationships. Over the last three decades, Southall has built a career centered on community service, women’s empowerment, faith-based leadership, and charitable work.
Her journey from a journalism student in Virginia to a nationally recognized public figure reflects a combination of professional ambition, personal resilience, and public service. Through organizations such as Treasure You and Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, she has spent years supporting women, families, and underserved communities.
So, who is Patricia Southall? Here’s everything to know about Emmitt Smith’s wife and former Miss Virginia USA.
Quick Facts About Patricia Southall
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patricia Annette Southall |
| Also Known As | Pat Smith |
| Birthplace | Norfolk, Virginia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | James Madison University |
| Degree | Journalism |
| Profession | Philanthropist, Author, Entrepreneur, Speaker |
| Famous For | Miss Virginia USA 1994, Treasure You, Emmitt Smith’s Wife |
| Miss USA Placement | First Runner-Up (1994) |
| Husband | Emmitt Smith |
| Former Husband | Martin Lawrence |
| Children | Jasmin Lawrence, E.J. Smith, Skylar Smith, Elijah Smith |
| Organization | Treasure You |
| Book | Second Chances |
Who Is Patricia Southall?
Patricia Southall is a former pageant titleholder who successfully transformed early public recognition into a long-term career focused on philanthropy, ministry, speaking, and community leadership. Although search interest around her often begins with questions about her marriages, her independent achievements have helped maintain her public relevance for years.
Unlike many former beauty queens whose visibility fades after pageantry, Southall used that platform as a foundation for broader professional opportunities. Her work today centers on inspiring women, supporting families, and encouraging personal growth through faith-based initiatives and community outreach programs.
She is also one of the few public figures who has successfully bridged several different worlds. Her biography touches entertainment through Martin Lawrence, professional sports through Emmitt Smith, pageantry through Miss USA, and nonprofit leadership through her charitable organizations.
Patricia Southall’s Early Life and Education
Patricia Southall was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and spent her formative years in the state that would later help launch her public career. Although detailed information about her childhood remains limited, her educational path is well documented.
She attended James Madison University, where she earned a degree in journalism. That educational background proved valuable throughout her career. Whether speaking publicly, leading charitable organizations, writing a book, or appearing in media interviews, Southall’s communication skills became one of her greatest professional strengths.
Before becoming nationally known, she reportedly worked in Virginia’s governmental and media environment. This experience exposed her to public relations, communications, and professional networking, helping prepare her for the opportunities that followed.
How Patricia Southall Became Miss Virginia USA
Patricia Southall’s first major breakthrough came in the world of pageantry.
She earned the title of Miss Virginia USA 1994, giving her the opportunity to represent the state at one of the most prestigious beauty competitions in the country. Winning the state crown significantly elevated her visibility and introduced her to a national audience.
For many contestants, reaching Miss USA is already a major accomplishment. Southall went even further.
Her Success at Miss USA 1994
At the Miss USA 1994 competition, Patricia Southall finished as first runner-up, making her one of the highest-ranked contestants in the country that year.
The achievement was especially notable because she also earned recognition in additional competition categories, including:
- Miss Photogenic
- Best in Swimsuit
These awards demonstrated that she stood out beyond the traditional judging criteria.
One of the most common misconceptions found online is that Southall won Miss USA. The verified record shows that she finished as first runner-up, an impressive accomplishment that nevertheless differs from winning the national title.
Why Her Pageant Success Still Matters Today
Her pageant achievements remain important because they marked the beginning of her public career.
The Miss USA platform provided national exposure, opened professional doors, and introduced her to opportunities in media, public appearances, business, and nonprofit work.
Many years later, her Miss Virginia USA title remains one of the most searched aspects of her biography.
Building a Career Beyond Beauty Pageants
Unlike many former pageant contestants who disappear from public view, Patricia Southall continued building her professional identity after Miss USA.
She became increasingly involved in public speaking, business ventures, nonprofit leadership, and faith-based outreach. Rather than relying solely on celebrity connections, she established a reputation centered on service and personal development.
Over time, she developed a professional brand that focused on helping women navigate life’s challenges while encouraging confidence, purpose, and resilience.
Pat Smith Enterprises
One of the major platforms associated with Southall is Pat Smith Enterprises.
Through this organization, she has worked as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and public figure. Her appearances often focus on leadership, family values, overcoming adversity, personal growth, and faith.
The business side of her career helped expand her influence beyond entertainment headlines and into broader audiences interested in personal development and empowerment.
The Mission Behind Treasure You
One of Patricia Southall’s most significant accomplishments is the creation of Treasure You.
Founded to encourage women who are rebuilding their lives after setbacks, the organization focuses on empowerment, confidence, healing, and personal growth.
The mission grew from Southall’s belief that many women need encouragement to pursue a new beginning after difficult experiences.
What Treasure You Does
Treasure You hosts events, conferences, mentorship opportunities, and outreach initiatives designed to help women recognize their value and potential.
The organization’s message is built around several key themes:
- Self-worth
- Faith
- Personal restoration
- Leadership
- Community support
- Second chances
These themes later became closely connected to Southall’s speaking career and writing projects.
How Treasure You Expanded Her Public Influence
While many biographies focus primarily on her marriages, Treasure You arguably represents one of the strongest examples of Southall’s independent legacy.
The organization gave her a platform that was separate from entertainment and sports, allowing her to become known for work that directly impacts communities and individuals.
It also helped establish her reputation as an advocate for women and families rather than simply a celebrity spouse.
Patricia Southall’s Faith Journey
Faith has been one of the most consistent themes throughout Patricia Southall’s public life.
Over the years, she has spoken openly about the role spiritual growth has played in shaping her decisions, relationships, and professional goals.
Her public speaking often incorporates lessons about perseverance, purpose, healing, and family values.
Ministry and Spiritual Leadership
Southall has also been associated with ministry training and faith-centered leadership programs.
This aspect of her life helps explain why many of her initiatives focus on restoration and personal transformation rather than traditional celebrity branding.
Her work in this area has resonated with audiences seeking practical encouragement rooted in faith-based principles.
Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith’s Charitable Legacy
One of the most visible chapters of Patricia Southall’s philanthropic work came through Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.
The organization focused on helping underserved children and families through educational programs, enrichment opportunities, scholarships, and community initiatives.
The charity became one of the most recognized joint projects undertaken by Southall and Emmitt Smith.
Why the Charity Was Important
The organization’s mission reflected both Southall’s passion for community service and Emmitt Smith’s desire to give back beyond football.
Together, they used their public platforms to support causes that created opportunities for young people and families facing challenges.
Over the years, the foundation became an important part of the couple’s public identity.
Patricia Southall Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| Early 1990s | Worked in Virginia communications and media-related roles |
| 1994 | Won Miss Virginia USA |
| 1994 | Finished First Runner-Up at Miss USA |
| 1995 | Married Martin Lawrence |
| 1996 | Welcomed daughter Jasmin Lawrence |
| 1997 | Divorced Martin Lawrence |
| 2000 | Married Emmitt Smith |
| 2002 | Son E.J. Smith born |
| 2003 | Daughter Skylar Smith born |
| 2010 | Son Elijah Smith born |
| 2012 | Expanded Treasure You mission |
| 2016 | Released Second Chances |
| Present | Speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and women’s advocate |
Patricia Southall’s Marriage to Martin Lawrence
Before becoming part of one of football’s most recognizable families, Patricia Southall was married to actor and comedian Martin Lawrence. Their relationship began during the early 1990s, a period when Lawrence was rapidly becoming one of the biggest names in television and stand-up comedy.
According to contemporary reports, Southall and Lawrence met while she was working in Virginia’s media and communications environment. Their relationship developed away from the national spotlight initially, but public attention increased as Lawrence’s entertainment career continued to grow.
The couple married in 1995. At the time, Southall was already known in pageant circles because of her success at Miss Virginia USA and Miss USA. Their marriage brought together two rising public figures from very different industries.
Welcoming Daughter Jasmin Lawrence
One of the most significant milestones from their marriage was the birth of their daughter, Jasmin Page Lawrence, in January 1996.
Although the marriage lasted only a few years, Jasmin remained an important connection between Southall and Lawrence. Both parents have publicly celebrated their daughter’s accomplishments over the years, and her achievements have generated a new wave of public interest in Patricia Southall’s life.
Why Their Marriage Still Draws Interest
Search interest around Patricia Southall often stems from Martin Lawrence’s popularity. Many readers discover her biography while searching for information about Lawrence’s family history and previous relationships.
However, her connection to Martin Lawrence represents only one chapter of a much larger story. While the marriage introduced her to a broader entertainment audience, her later work in philanthropy, ministry, and entrepreneurship became the foundation of her long-term public identity.
Patricia Southall and Jasmin Lawrence
As the daughter of Martin Lawrence and Patricia Southall, Jasmin Lawrence has grown up around public attention. Unlike many celebrity children who enter the spotlight early, she has generally maintained a balanced public profile focused on education and personal growth.
One of the most notable aspects of her background is her academic success. Jasmin graduated from Duke University, one of the most respected universities in the United States. Her educational achievements helped distinguish her public image from the typical celebrity-child narrative.
Her Growing Public Profile
Interest in Jasmin increased significantly because of her relationship with Eric Murphy, the son of actor Eddie Murphy.
The relationship connected two well-known entertainment families and generated extensive media coverage. When reports of their engagement emerged, public interest expanded further, bringing renewed attention to both Martin Lawrence’s and Patricia Southall’s family lives.
For Patricia Southall, this visibility highlighted an important part of her legacy: raising a daughter who successfully navigated life in the public eye while pursuing her own education and career path.
How Patricia Southall Met Emmitt Smith
Patricia Southall’s most enduring public relationship has been with NFL legend Emmitt Smith.
Their relationship began after her divorce from Martin Lawrence. While both were already public figures, their connection developed around shared values, family priorities, faith, and community involvement.
The relationship attracted attention because Smith was one of the most recognizable athletes in professional football. By that point, he had already established himself as one of the NFL’s greatest running backs and was building a legacy that would eventually earn him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Their Wedding in 2000
Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith married on April 22, 2000.
Their marriage quickly became one of the most recognized partnerships in sports and entertainment. Unlike many celebrity relationships that generate headlines because of controversy, Southall and Smith became known for their long-term commitment, family-focused lifestyle, and charitable work.
More than two decades later, their marriage remains one of the longest-lasting relationships among high-profile sports figures.
Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith’s Family Life
Family has consistently been one of the central themes in Patricia Southall’s public life.
Together, Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith built a blended family that includes children from both their current and previous relationships. Publicly, the couple has often emphasized faith, education, responsibility, and community service as important family values.
Meet E.J. Smith
Emmitt James Smith IV, commonly known as E.J. Smith, is Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith’s oldest child together.
Because of his father’s legendary football career, E.J. attracted attention from an early age. However, he built his own athletic résumé through high school and college football rather than relying solely on family recognition.
He played college football at Stanford University, one of the most academically prestigious schools in the United States. His choice of Stanford reflected a balance between athletics and education, a combination that aligns closely with the values often emphasized by his parents.
In recent years, E.J. has continued pursuing professional football opportunities, creating a new generation of public interest in the Smith family.
Meet Skylar Smith
Skylar Smith has largely maintained a lower public profile compared with some members of her family.
Public information indicates that she pursued journalism studies, following a path that reflects interests in communication and media. This educational direction is particularly interesting because Patricia Southall herself earned a journalism degree before becoming a public figure.
Although Skylar generally avoids extensive media attention, she occasionally appears in family-related coverage and social media content shared by her parents.
Meet Elijah Alexander James Smith
Elijah Smith is the youngest child of Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith.
Compared with his older siblings, he has spent most of his life away from significant media attention. Public information about Elijah remains relatively limited, reflecting the family’s efforts to maintain privacy around younger family members.
While celebrity families often face constant public scrutiny, Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith have generally managed to keep portions of their children’s lives private.
A Blended Family Approach
In addition to their biological children, Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith are part of a blended family structure that includes children from previous relationships.
This family dynamic has often been presented as one of the couple’s strengths. Their ability to navigate a blended family while maintaining long-term stability has contributed to their positive public image.
Patricia Southall as an Author
Patricia Southall expanded her professional portfolio by becoming an author.
Her book, Second Chances, reflects many of the themes that have shaped her public career. Rather than focusing solely on celebrity experiences, the book explores personal growth, resilience, healing, faith, and the ability to move forward after setbacks.
Why the Book Matters
The message behind Second Chances closely mirrors the mission of Treasure You.
Both projects focus on helping people recognize that difficult circumstances do not define their future. For readers familiar with Southall’s philanthropic work, the book provides deeper insight into the values and experiences that influenced her public mission.
The publication also reinforced her position as a speaker and thought leader rather than simply a celebrity spouse.
What Is Patricia Southall Doing Now?
One of the most common questions people ask is what Patricia Southall is doing today.
She remains active through public speaking, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment initiatives, ministry-related activities, and family-focused projects. Her work continues to center on helping women navigate personal challenges while encouraging growth, leadership, and purpose.
Unlike many public figures whose visibility depends on entertainment projects or sports careers, Southall’s relevance comes largely from community engagement and personal-development work.
She also maintains an active social media presence where she shares family milestones, inspirational messages, faith-centered content, and updates about speaking engagements and initiatives.
Lesser-Known Facts About Patricia Southall
While many biographies focus primarily on her marriages, several lesser-known facts help provide a fuller picture of her life and accomplishments.
She Studied Journalism
Before becoming a public figure, Southall earned a journalism degree from James Madison University.
She Was More Than a Miss USA Finalist
At Miss USA 1994, she not only finished as first runner-up but also received recognition in additional competition categories, including Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit.
She Built an Independent Career
Although often identified through her famous spouses, Southall developed her own platform through speaking, entrepreneurship, authorship, and nonprofit leadership.
Faith Plays a Central Role in Her Work
Many of her public initiatives, speaking engagements, and charitable efforts are rooted in faith-based principles and personal growth.
Her Legacy Extends Beyond Entertainment and Sports
Patricia Southall’s public impact is strongest in areas related to women’s empowerment, philanthropy, family leadership, and community service.
Why Patricia Southall Remains Relevant Today
Public interest in Patricia Southall has endured because her life intersects several areas that continue to attract attention.
Sports fans know her through Emmitt Smith.
Entertainment audiences recognize her through Martin Lawrence and Jasmin Lawrence.
Pageant followers remember her success at Miss Virginia USA and Miss USA.
Community organizations know her through Treasure You and charitable work.
This combination of influence across multiple fields has allowed her biography to remain relevant decades after her initial rise to public attention.
Conclusion
Patricia Southall’s public story extends far beyond her connections to Martin Lawrence and Emmitt Smith. Her journey includes success in pageantry, leadership in philanthropy, entrepreneurship, authorship, ministry, and decades of community-focused work. From finishing as first runner-up at Miss USA to building organizations dedicated to empowering women and families, she has developed a public identity rooted in service and personal growth.
Today, she remains best known not only as Emmitt Smith’s wife but also as a philanthropist, speaker, and advocate whose work continues to impact communities across the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Patricia Southall?
Patricia Southall was born in 1970. However, publicly reported sources vary regarding her exact birth date, so age references should be verified against the most current information.
Is Patricia Southall still married to Emmitt Smith?
Yes. Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith married in April 2000 and remain one of the most recognizable long-term couples in sports and entertainment.
How many children does Patricia Southall have?
Patricia Southall has four biological children: Jasmin Lawrence, E.J. Smith, Skylar Smith, and Elijah Smith.
Did Patricia Southall win Miss USA?
No. She won Miss Virginia USA and finished as first runner-up at Miss USA 1994.
What is Treasure You?
Treasure You is a women’s empowerment organization founded by Patricia Southall that focuses on personal growth, restoration, faith, leadership, and second chances.
What is Patricia Southall’s net worth?
Patricia Southall’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified. Various online estimates exist, but no authoritative source has confirmed a specific figure.
