Are Tonesa Welch and Terry still together? Their current love status
BMF is a crime TV series that tells the story of Detroit’s money laundering and drug trafficking organisation, the Black Mafia Family. But beyond the group’s illegal activities, the show features a love story between Terry Flenory, BMF’s co-founder, and Tonesa Welch. The power couple experienced a significant blow after they were sentenced to prison. So, are Tonesa Welch and Terry still together?
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Tonesa Welch and Terry Lee Flenory were long‑term partners.
- Their romantic relationship ended years ago after their legal troubles and incarceration.
- Welch has focused on her work as an advocate, motivational speaker, and executive producer.
Tonesa Welch and Terry Flenory’s profile summaries
Full name | Terry Lee Flenory | Tonesa Lynett Welch |
Famous as | Southwest Tee | First Lady of BMF |
Gender | Male | Female |
Date of birth | 10 January 1970 | 11 August 1971 |
Age | 56 years old (as of 2026) | 54 years old (as of March 2026) |
Zodiac sign | Capricorn | Leo |
Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
Current residence | St. Louis, Missouri, USA | California, USA |
Nationality | American | American |
Ethnicity | African‑American | African‑American |
Religion | Christianity | Christianity |
Height inches | 5'8" | 5'6" |
Height in centimeters | 173 | 168 |
Weight in lbs | 220 | 128 |
Weight kilograms | 100 | 58 |
Hair colour | Black | Black |
Eye colour | Dark brown | Brown |
Sexuality | Straight | Straight |
Marital status | Single | Single |
Parents | Charles and Lucille Flenory | Carol |
Siblings | 2 | 3 |
Profession | Businessman, music executive | Executive Producer, Motivational Speaker, Advocate |
Children | 1 | 3 |
Notable work | Co‑founder of Black Mafia Family | Sylentheart Organization, Producer for BET+ shows |
Social media |
Are Tonesa Welch and Terry still together?
Welch and Southwest Tee are no longer together. Their relationship allegedly ended after both were convicted on money laundering charges. However, the exact reason behind the duo’s breakup remains a mystery.
How did Terry and Tonesa Welch meet?
To understand why the series refers to the pair as a power couple, it is vital to know the circumstances in which their relationship began. In the show, the BMF brothers get along with Markisha’s husband, Harold, a drug dealer.
But when she sees Terry Lee, Markisha perceives him as a responsible man. She stops an altercation between Southwest Tee and Kwame. This formed the basis of their friendship, and they started dating in 1995.
To date, Flenory and Welch had to end things with Harold. The couple made their relationship public in 1998, and Tonesa slowly adopted the title of first lady of BMF.
Source: UGC
How was Terry and Tonesa Welch’s relationship?
In an interview with VladTV, Tonesa briefly discussed her relationship with Southwest Tee. She shared:
He was coming back and forth in my life. I trusted him, and he had my back. I would tell him everything I was doing and how I was getting things done. He was always there and was supportive. He was like my friend. He was my homie; he was just like my best friend. At first, nothing was going on between us until 1995. We hung out daily, and even when we were out of town together, we did many things.
Who is Terry’s baby mama on BMF?
Actress Sydney Mitchell portrays LaWanda Roosevelt as the mother of Southwest Tee’s son, Terry Flenory Jr. The famous businessman reportedly prefers to keep details about his son out of the limelight.
What happened to Tonesa Welch?
After being found guilty of money laundering, Welch was sentenced to 57 months in prison. She once narrated how her prison experience was life-changing to HipHopDX, saying:
I am happy I went to prison. Once I woke up, all the substances came pouring out of my body, and I came to reality. I realized that this is not the life. This cannot be it, and this is not my life. I am better than this.
Welch was released in 2012 and is now a motivational speaker and activist. She is the founder of a non-profit organisation called Sylent Heat.
Who is Terry Lee Flenory?
Terry Lee Flenory, also known as Southwest Tee, is the co-founder of one of the largest criminal enterprises in America. Terry Lee and his brother Demetrius Edward “Big Meech” Flenory founded the Black Mafia Family, a drug trafficking and money laundering criminal empire.
Where is Terry Lee Flenory from?
Southwest Tee was born on 10 January 1970 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. His father, Charles Flenory, was a carpenter and music artist widely recognised for composing the Campbell Brothers' hit song Jump for Joy.
Terry’s mother markets and sells Building More Families (BMF) branded merchandise, including accessories and apparel. He was raised alongside his two siblings, Demetrius Edward (Big Meech) and Nicole Flenory.
Their poor living standards forced the brothers to start selling drugs in high school and eventually form BMF. In an interview with All-Hip-Hop, Big Meech once revealed why they chose this life of crime:
We had 30 days to come up with $7,500, or we would be put out in the street. My brother and I had to find a way to make some fast money, so we hit the streets and came up without having to rob and kill someone. It was supply and demand, simple as that.
Who is Terry Lee Flenory's wife?
There are no indications that Southwest Tee is married. However, he was in a long-term relationship with Tonesa Welch, a prison reform advocate and life coach.
What is Terry Lee Flenory's net worth?
Although it is apparent that the businessman is wealthy, there are no official records of his net worth. His brother, Big Meech's net worth is $500k. His wealth is largely attributed to his music business, apparel sales, and the sale of illegal substances.
Did Terry Flenory ever get married?
Terry has not publicly disclosed ever being married. While he has children, including a son, Terry Flenory Jr., he has kept his personal romantic life private, and no public record confirms a marriage.
Who are Terry Lee Flenory's kids?
Source: UGC
Terry from BMF has one known child, a son named Terry Lee Flenory Jr. Terry often posts his son on Instagram and is a proud father.
Who is Terry Flenory's baby mother?
In the BMF TV series, Flenory's girlfriend and the mother of his child is LaWanda Roosevelt. In real life, the woman often associated with him and depicted as his partner in that era is named Rhonda. The show portrays LaWanda as the mother of his child in Detroit.
Where is Terry Flenory right now?
Terry Flenory, now the Black Mafia Family co-founder, is currently spending time under house arrest. He is active on Instagram, sharing tidbits about his life and promoting Starz's BMF.
Is Terry Flenory still alive?
Southwest Tee is currently under home confinement. Terry Flenory's release date was on 5 May 2020, before serving his full term, due to the increased spread of COVID-19 in American Prisons. The businessman was allegedly shot in 2021 but survived the attack.
Are Tonesa Welch and Terry still together? Various sources report that the pair is no longer romantically involved. The duo's relationship purportedly hit the rocks after their imprisonment. However, the cause of their separation has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Briefly published lesser-known facts about Big Meech's brother, Terry Lee Flenory. The siblings formed the Black Mafia Family business, which was one of the most notorious narcotics networks operating between Mexico and the US.
Terry managed the Los Angeles hub, receiving incoming shipments from Mexico, while Big Meech handled the Atlanta hub, which was all about distribution activities. Read on to find out how the American criminal justice system discovered their illegal dealings and the punishment they received.
Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
John Ouma (Lifestyle writer) John Ouma is a journalist with six years of experience. He has published sharply argued think pieces that live at the intersection of power, politics, and society. He was awarded the FirstGen scholarship by Biola University and a merit-based scholarship by AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in January 2021. He has worked for The Standard and Nation Africa as an opinion columnist between 2018 and 2022. He is currently working on his first novel—a literary fiction that traces the life of a contemporary Kenyan artist. Email: gervasjohn97@gmail.com
