Shannon Abloh: Everything you need to know about Virgil Abloh's wife

Sometimes I still find myself in shock, because grief is like waves. Sometimes I’m like, I’m okay, I can function, I can take my kids to school, I feel like I can be involved in my life. And then some days, I’m like, woah, he is never coming back.

Despite the pain, Shannon Abloh found the strength to step out from behind the scenes. She did it to honour her late husband, award-winning fashion designer Virgil Abloh. He was the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton and founder of the fashion label Off-White.

Key takeaways

• Shannon Abloh is the wife of the late, renowned designer Virgil Abloh.
• She met Virgil in high school, and the two dated for several years before getting married in 2009.
• Together, they had two children. Today, Shannon is dedicated to preserving her husband's legacy and sharing his work with the world.

Profile summary

Shannon Abloh's biography

Shannon Abloh is the wife of the late Virgil Abloh. Virgil was a respected fashion designer and stylist who helped bridge the gap between fashion, art, and culture. He was also a loving father and husband to his beautiful family. His legacy will live on through his family, now under the care of his wife, Shannon.

How old is Shannon Abloh?

Shannon Abloh's age is 44 years as of 2025. She was born in 1981, although her exact birth date is unknown. Her ethnicity is White, while her late husband had Ewe roots from the Volta Region in Ghana.

Early life and education

Little is known about Shannon Abloh's parents and siblings. She prefers to keep most of her details private by living away from the limelight.

Shannon attended Edgewood College in Wisconsin, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Management and Marketing.

How did Virgil Abloh meet his wife?

Virgil met his wife, Shannon, in high school. She was 17, and he was 18. They both lived in Rockford, Illinois. Although they attended different schools, they met at a local soccer game. At the time, Shannon had a boyfriend, but Virgil was determined to win her over.

A week later, he made a bold move. He left two dozen red roses on her black Nissan Pathfinder and wrote her a letter. In it, he explained why she should end her current relationship and give him a chance instead. His heartfelt gesture worked, and she said yes.

Even when they lived apart, their relationship stayed strong. Virgil went on to study civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, following his father's advice. Shannon remained behind to finish her senior year of high school. Despite the distance, their bond endured.

She later joined him in Madison to study marketing at Edgewood College. Virgil eventually transferred to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago to study architecture. Throughout this time, they continued dating and building their future together.

Shannon says she would have followed Virgil wherever he went. In an interview with Vogue, she says;

When he knew he was going into architecture school, he got into IIT [Illinois Institute of Technology] and we moved to the city. At the time I was like, I’m moving to Chicago! But if he were to have gotten into RISD [Rhode Island School of Design], I would have moved there too, you know?

She moved to the city first and shared a walk-up apartment with friends. Virgil, instead of becoming an architect, began working with Kanye West.

They stayed together through it all. Shannon remembers him driving a green Honda, wearing JNCO jeans and Ralph Lauren polos. He liked boxy houses, while she preferred fancy French décor. Despite their differences, they were a perfect match. While she worked at Yahoo, he travelled the world with Kanye.

Virgil proposed uniquely. He told her he was flying to Australia and asked her to drive him to O’Hare Airport. When she got out of the car, he knelt. At first, she thought he had fallen, but it was a proposal. She said yes.

Shannon and Virgil were married in 2009 in Chicago. Their wedding had a purple colour theme, her favourite. The fashion icon once revealed that he let his bride-to-be make most of the wedding planning decisions.

Virgil and Shannon Abloh's children

The couple is blessed with two beautiful children: a son named Grey and a daughter named Lowe. The family currently lives in Chicago, where they privately supported Virgil during his battle with his disease.

How did Abloh pass?

The fashion designer was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as cardiac angiosarcoma in 2019. Despite the diagnosis, he continued to work while undergoing numerous treatments. Sadly, he passed away on Sunday, 28 November 2021, at the age of 41.

What does Shannon Abloh do for a living?

Shannon is an experienced corporate executive. Before her husband's death, she worked as a program manager at Monster.

The mother of two also held roles at Yahoo! as a media planner and account manager. Currently, Shannon runs a foundation to honour her husband among other ventures.

Shannon Abloh's net worth

The 40-year-old mother of two has an estimated net worth of $500,000 in 2025. Her fortune mostly came from her well-established profession at Monster as a program manager. On the other hand, her late husband had a net worth of about $100 million at the time of his death in November 2021.

What is Shannon Abloh doing in 2025?

In 2025, Shannon Abloh is focused on preserving her husband Virgil Abloh’s legacy. She leads Virgil Abloh Securities to protect his archives, ideas, and unfinished projects. Shannon is planning a private museum and creative space. It will showcase his work and offer inspiration to future designers and collaborators.

She is also developing the Virgil Abloh Foundation. The foundation supports young people from underserved communities. It introduces them to art, fashion, and design. Shannon wants to help children as young as ten discover creative careers. Her work ensures Virgil’s mission continues to inspire new generations.

She says,

Through the foundation, I want to give opportunities to kids as young as 10 years old, just introducing them to an art class, because research shows that in under-served communities kids are talked out of taking art classes or being creative because they are [told] it’s not an option.

And I want there to be a steady stream of people who look like Virgil to continue to get to his level. It’s saying, ‘This is an option for you,’ and I just want to be able to help kids to be able to do that. Think of all the creative minds out there that need to be fostered and given an opportunity.

What is Shannon Abloh's Instagram?

Shannon Abloh's Instagram account is @shannonabloh. She keeps it private and only allows her close circle access.

Is Virgil Abloh African?

Yes, Virgil Abloh is African by heritage. Although he was born in the United States, he proudly embraced his Ghanaian roots. In January 2021, he honored his culture by featuring Kente, a traditional Ghanaian fabric, in his Louis Vuitton runway show.

Who is Virgil Abloh to Kanye?

Virgil Abloh was a longtime friend and collaborator of Kanye West. He worked as the creative director for Kanye’s brand, Donda. He played a key role in shaping the visual and fashion direction of Kanye’s projects. Their partnership helped launch Abloh’s career in high fashion.

Who owns the Off-White brand?

Off-White is owned by Bluestar Alliance. The brand was founded by Virgil Abloh in Milan in 2013 and was sold by LVMH to Bluestar Alliance in September 2024.

Shannon Abloh is a corporate professional and the widow of Virgil Abloh. She has balanced work and family for many years. Today, she is focused on preserving her husband's legacy. She leads Virgil Abloh Securities and is developing the Virgil Abloh Foundation. Her work continues to impact art, fashion, and design.

Briefly.co.za recently shared the article, Taylour Paige's relationships: A look at her dating history and marriage. Taylour Paige has had high-profile relationships in the past.

She is married to Gary "Rivington Starchild" Angulo. She announced she was pregnant in March 2025. Read everything about her love life.

Source: Briefly News