In April 2019, Idris Elba, star of The Wire, Luther and Beasts of No Nation, married Sabrina Dhowre in Marrakech, Morocco. The celebration lasted several days, with guests gathering in the Moroccan city for a wedding that blended glamour with personal touches. Elba, whose mother is Ghanaian and father was from Sierra Leone, has often spoken of his African roots. His wedding was one of the most talked about celebrity marriages of the year, followed closely by fans across Africa and beyond.
Idris, Sabrina and Marrakech
Idris Elba was born in London in 1972. His father, Winston, was from Sierra Leone, and his mother, Eve, is from Ghana. He became one of Britain’s best-known actors. Sabrina Dhowre is a model of Somali heritage who grew up in Canada. The couple met in Vancouver in 2017, where Elba was filming. In February 2018, Elba proposed at a screening of his directorial debut, Yardie, in a London cinema. The surprise was caught on camera and widely shared.
They chose Marrakech for the wedding, with celebrations held over three days in April 2019.
The guests and married life
Family and friends travelled to Morocco for the event, which was relatively private compared with some celebrity weddings. The wedding featured Moroccan settings, traditional decoration and designer outfits, and photographs from the celebration were later published in fashion magazines. Elba has spoken often about his Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean heritage, and he has been granted citizenship of Sierra Leone.
The couple have appeared together at many events and have worked on projects together, including environmental campaigns. In March 2020, Elba announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19, and Sabrina later also tested positive. They spoke openly about their experience.
Family and Marrakech weddings
Elba has children from previous relationships, and the couple have shared their family life on occasion. African fans followed the wedding with great interest, seeing Elba as a global star with African roots. The Moroccan city, with its palaces, gardens and riads, has become a popular destination for celebrity and luxury weddings, offering warm weather and dramatic architecture.
Idris Elba proposed in a cinema in London and married in a palace setting in Morocco. Fans in Accra and Freetown still claim a share of the celebration.
