Is it true that Stephen A. Smith's daughter passed away? What we know
Stephen A. Smith is an American sports TV personality and journalist widely recognised as a co-host on ESPN’s First Take. While he constantly makes headlines for his commentator prowess, in recent years, fans have taken an interest in his personal life after various tabloids reported the death of his eldest child. So, what happened to Stephen A. Smith's daughter?
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Although there have been rumours that Stephen lost his daughter, there is no official communication to confirm the speculations.
- Stephen A. Smith's two daughters, Samantha and Nyla, are aged 17 and 16, respectively.
- Samantha has made appearances on his father's podcasts and other shows, while her younger sibling, Nyla, has been away from the limelight.
Stephen A. Smith's profile summary
Full name | Stephen Anthony Smith |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 14 October 1967 |
Age | 58 years old (2025) |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Birthplace | The Bronx, New York, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Religion | Christianity |
Alma mater | Winston-Salem State University |
Height | 6’1’’ (185 cm) |
Weight | 70 kg (154 lbs) |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Dark brown |
Sexuality | Straight |
Marital status | Single |
Children | 2 |
Mother | Janet Smith |
Siblings | 5 |
Profession | Sports journalist and radio host |
Employer | ESPN Inc. |
Net worth | $25 million |
Social media |
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Did Stephen A. Smith's daughter pass away?
Although there have been rumours that Stephen lost his daughter, there is no official communication to confirm the speculations. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the celebrity child is doing well and the death report is just another internet hoax.
However, on 1 June 2017, tragedy hit Stephen A. Smith's family after his mom, Janet, died of cancer. During a 12 October 2023 episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the journalist narrated how his mother’s death took a toll on him, saying:
In 2017, I lost the greatest human being I have ever known. For two years after my mom’s death, I wished I was dead. However, therapy helped me cope with the loss.
Source: Original
How many children does Stephen A. Smith have?
According to numerous reports, the sports radio host has two daughters, Samantha and Nyla. He kept quiet about them until around 2019, when they were already 11 and 10, respectively.
How old is Stephen A. Smith's daughter?
Stephen's two daughters, Samantha and Nyla, were ages 17 and 16, respectively. Smith shared with the magazine how his kids helped him find a new lease of life following his mother’s death. He also revealed that his children cannot watch his show, First Take, without his permission because he does not want them to see him discuss specific controversial topics.
While speaking on The Breakfast Club in October 2023, Stephen talked about his fatherhood journey, stating:
My daughters are everything to me. I ensure they are well taken care of. I am proud and happy of the father I am.
Here is everything to know about Stephen A. Smith's teenage daughters, Samantha and Nyla Smith.
Samantha Alyssa Smith
Samantha (aged 17 as of 2025) was born on 27 August 2008 to Stephen and Stephanie Jones. A screen and voice-over actress, she is best known for starring in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. The budding actress has also portrayed Roxie in the Marsai Martin-produced Disney+ series Saturdays.
According to Samantha’s IMDb profile, she made her professional debut when she was 9, doing a Disney voice-over commercial. The celebrity child is also a writer with dreams of one day creating her own series.
In an August 2023 interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the journalist shared his sentiments about his daughter attending college and starting to date.
You cannot be with your kids 24/7, so you need to embed your presence in their brains so they cannot escape your voice.
Recently, Stephen A. Smith's daughter has been dominating the airwaves after she took over her dad's podcast while roasting him.
Yes, his forehead still has space left, you guys. There will always be space,
She quipped.
No, he cannot afford a hair transplant. Keep watching so he can afford it,
The young lady went on.
She also made a surprise confession during the segment when she admitted that her celebrity crush is NBA athlete LeBron James' son, Bronny.
Do I hate LeBron James? I'm about to get clipped for this. I don't think he would see this because, why would he?
She started.
I remember Bryce James, right? He's a great player, and there's Bronny, too. But I remember I used to have the biggest crush on Bryce James, about a year ago.
"What?" Stephen A. Smith retorted in disbelief.
"I'm joking," she said in her defence as her father responded, "You better be!"
The interaction was funny considering the ongoing beef between her dad and LeBron James. However, the humorous exchange between father and daughter made for some hilarious fan reactions.
You can follow Stephen A. Smith's daughter on Instagram with around 64.8K followers as of October 2025.
Nyla Smith
Source: Getty Images
Scanty information exists about Stephen A. Smith’s youngest child, Nyla, as he prefers to keep her away from the limelight. While on The Breakfast Club, the radio host revealed how having kids changed his life, saying:
My children have made me a better human. They have made me far more compassionate than I ever thought I would be.
Just like Samantha, Nyla and her father share a close relationship. In October 2023, the father-daughter duo stepped out to watch a basketball game together. In a 2021 piece he wrote for Men’s Health, Stephen shared his highlights and aspirations as a dad.
The one thing that is more enjoyable than seeing my kids happy and healthy is knowing I helped make them that way. No other time is my heart filled with joy and pride than when I can fulfil their needs and desires.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
Stephen A. Smith's prominence in the sports industry constantly sparks public scrutiny of his personal life. Here are some aspects about him that fans are eager to uncover:
How old is Stephen A. Smith?
The radio host (aged 58 as of 2025) was born on 14 October 1967 in The Bronx, New York, USA. He grew up in the Hollis section of Queens. Stephen has four older sisters and an older brother who died in a car accident in 1992. Their dad owned a hardware store.
Did Stephen A. Smith graduate from college?
Anthony graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 1986. In 1991, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication from Winston-Salem State University. Stephen played basketball at the university before a knee injury curtailed his sporting career.
Who is Stephen A. Smith married to?
Although many are curious about Stephen A. Smith's wife, the journalist is unmarried. He was once engaged, but the relationship never led to marriage.
Did Stephen Smith pass away?
No, the sports radio broadcaster is still alive.
Source: Getty Images
What is Stephen A. Smith's net worth?
According to Yahoo, Stephen is worth $45 million. He reportedly makes $20 million annually working as a sports journalist and radio host for ESPN.
Is Molly still with Stephen A. Smith?
Molly Qerim has resigned from ESPN's First Take. Stephen A. Smith was unaware of her decision. Her exit has surprised many fans.
Who is the mother of Stephen A Smith's daughters?
Stephen A. Smith's daughters' mother is not publicly known.
Stephen A. Smith's daughters, Samantha and Nyla, are alive despite speculations of their tragic death. Samantha is an actress, but details of Nyla remain unknown.
Briefly.co.za shared juicy details about Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim's relationship. In recent years, the pair, who co-host ESPN’s First Take, has made news due to their on-screen chemistry.
However, in September 2024, Smith and Qerim finally commented on the dating rumours. Are the duo romantically involved? Find out everything about their relationship and love life.
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.
Justin Williams (Editorial Assistant) Justin Williams joined Briefly News in 2024. He is currently the Opinion Editor and a Current Affairs Writer. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Film & Multimedia Production and English Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2024. Justin is a former writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa: South African chapter. Contact Justin at justin.williams@briefly.co.za
