Thuso Mbedu, the acclaimed South African actress who skyrocketed to fame after her powerful role in Amazon's The Underground Railroad, is not married and has no children. She is currently based in Los Angeles, focused primarily on her burgeoning career and commitment to social change, captivating audiences worldwide with her performances. Mbedu has never publicly confirmed any romantic relationships.
Key Takeaways
- Thuso Mbedu has no husband and has never been married.
- She was previously romantically linked with The Woman King co-star John Boyega, but neither has confirmed nor denied the relationship.
- The actress was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, to a Zulu mother and a father of Sotho and Xhosa descent.
- She thrived in the South African film industry before moving to the United States, where she has been featured in multiple movies and TV series.
Profile Summary
- Full name: Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 8 July 1991
- Age: 34 years old (as of June 2026)
- Zodiac sign: Cancer
- Place of birth: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Current residence: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Nationality: South African
- Ethnicity: African
- Religion: Christianity
- Sexuality: Straight
- Height in feet: 5'4"
- Height in centimetres: 163
- Weight in pounds: 126
- Weight in kilograms: 57
- Body measurements in inches: 32-25-36
- Body measurements in centimetres: 81-64-91
- Hair colour: Black
- Eye colour: Dark brown
- Siblings: 1
- Relationship status: Single
- School: Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School
- College: University of the Witwatersrand, Stella Adler Studio of Acting
- Profession: Actress, model
- Net worth: $1 million – $5 million
- Instagram: @thuso.mbedu
- Facebook: @tsonokwanda
Is Thuso Mbedu Married?
Thuso Mbedu has no husband and has never been married. In 2022, after her date of birth and age became public, rumours on social media emerged that she was married and had children. However, the actress took to X (Twitter) to address the unfounded claims, saying that she is not married and does not have kids, but her nieces call her young mother as per Zulu culture. She wrote: "Yes, I’m 31. No, I’m not married. No, I don’t have children that have come from my uterus but my nieces call me 'mam’ncane' (younger mother) because that’s how we do it in the Zulu culture & I love them like they're mine."
Thuso Mbedu's Relationships
Thuso Mbedu was previously romantically linked with The Woman King co-star John Boyega, but neither has confirmed nor denied the relationship. In 2018, she was also rumoured to be dating South African medic and TV personality Musa Mthombeni. However, during an interview with SNL 24, Musa set the record straight, clarifying that they were just good friends. He is married to former Miss South Africa 2015, Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni.
What Is the Background of Thuso Mbedu?
Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, to a Zulu mother and a father of Sotho and Xhosa descent. After their parents passed away, Thuso was raised alongside her sister, Masentle Nomalungelo Mbedu, in the Pelham area by their grandmother, a strict high school principal. Her sister is a sports scientist and a social media personality. In an interview with Greg Williams, she talked about her upbringing, saying: "My sister and I lost our mother to a brain tumour when I was four years old. And we didn’t have much of a relationship with our father. He was never in our lives. And so, our grandmother raised us. She was super strict."
How Old Is Thuso Mbedu?
Thuso Mbedu’s age is 34, as of June 2026. Her date of birth is 8 July 1991. Her zodiac sign is Cancer.
Education
She attended Pelham Primary School and completed her high school studies at Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in dramatic arts at the University of the Witwatersrand between 2010 and 2013. She also took an acting and drama course at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York in 2012.
Thuso Mbedu's Career
Thuso Mbedu started her acting career in South Africa in 2014 when she starred as Nosisa in the TV series Isibaya. She later landed multiple acting roles in South African movies and TV shows until 2021, when she made her Hollywood debut portraying Cora in the TV series The Underground Railroad. Below is a list of Thuso Mbedu’s movies and TV shows:
- Children Of Blood And Bone (2027, upcoming) – Zelie
- Task (2025) – Aleah
- Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) – Junia (voice)
- Castlevania: Nocturne (2023-2025) – Annette (voice)
- The Woman King (2022) – Nawi
- The Underground Railroad (2021) – Cora
- Shuga (2017-2019) – Ipeleng
- Side Dish (2018) – Phiwe
- JJC: Johnny Just Come (2018) – Fifi
- Liberty (2018) – Rosie
- Is'Thunzi (2016-2017) – Winnie
- Lokoza (2017) – Snake Park
- Scandal! (2015) – Kitso
- Isibaya (2014) – Nosisa
Thuso Mbedu was also the lead star, co-writer, and producer of the South African action-drama film Skunk. Developed in collaboration with director Amanda Lane, the story follows two fashion models who mastermind a heist to steal government gold jewellery to buy back ancestral land. The film received development funding from the Next Narrative Africa Fund, a multimedia venture aimed at capitalising the global Black narrative. Thuso Mbedu is also set to star alongside a star-studded cast of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Damson Idris and Regina King on Children of Blood and Bone, which is currently in post-production and is set to be released in January 2027.
During an interview on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Thuso revealed how she uses acting to impact people’s lives. She said: "I choose projects that I feel would have some sort of impact. We are not following the money; we are following purpose. We are following changing people’s lives. I did drama in high school and university because I wanted to use acting as a tool for social change."
In addition to acting, she thrives as a model. The actress has been featured in commercials for brands such as Nivea, Steers, Nando’s, and Dettol Even Tone. She has also appeared on the front covers of W Magazine and Essence Magazine. The talented actress and model is represented by multiple agencies, including CAA, Creative Partners Group, Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP, Gang Tyre Ramer Brown & Passman, and Wolf-Kasteler.
How Rich Is Thuso Mbedu?
Thuso Mbedu's net worth is alleged to range between $1 million and $5 million. Earnings from her acting and modelling careers are believed to be her primary income sources.
Thuso Mbedu's Height and Weight
The South African professional model is estimated to be 5 feet 4 inches (163 centimetres) tall and weighs approximately 126 pounds (57 kilograms). Her measurements are 32-25-36 inches (81-64-91 centimetres).
Fast Facts About Thuso Mbedu
- Are Thuso Mbedu’s parents alive? Her parents passed away when she was young, and she was raised by her grandmother.
- Where does Thuso Mbedu live now? She is based in Los Angeles, California, United States, and moved there in 2019 to further her acting career.
- What languages does Thuso Mbedu speak? According to her LinkedIn, she is natively bilingual in English and isiZulu. She also has a basic, elementary understanding of Afrikaans.
- What is the real age of Nawi in The Woman King? Nawi, portrayed by Thuso Mbedu, is a 19-year-old recruit. Thuso was 31 years old during the film's production in 2022.
- Does Thuso Mbedu have children? The actress does not have any children.
- Is Thuso Mbedu a Xhosa? Mbedu was born at Midlands Medical Centre in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, to a Zulu mother and a father of Sotho and Xhosa descent.
Amidst online speculations, Thuso Mbedu is single and has no children. She is focused on pursuing her entertainment career goals and making a positive social impact. The South African native actress continues to cultivate herself both in front of and behind the camera. She resides in Los Angeles, California, United States.
