Who Is Patricia Southall? The Amazing Life Story of Emmitt Smith’s Ex-Wife and Treasure You Founder
Patricia Southall is an American former beauty queen, author, philanthropist and the founder of Treasure You, a women’s empowerment nonprofit. Born in Virginia in 1970, she studied journalism at James Madison University, won the Miss Virginia USA title and finished as first runner-up at Miss USA 1994. Many readers also know her as the former wife of comedian Martin Lawrence and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, but her own work stands apart from both marriages. She wrote the 2016 book Second Chances, leads Treasure You and speaks to women about healing, faith and personal growth. This guide covers her background, pageant career, family life, charity work and current projects, based on Wikipedia, news reports and publisher records.
Who Is Patricia Southall?
Patricia Annette Southall is an American author, speaker and nonprofit founder who uses the name Pat Smith in much of her public work. She was born on December 17, 1970, and grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. Her Wikipedia profile lists her as the founder and spokesperson of Treasure You.
Her public profile grew in the 1990s, when she won a state pageant title and placed near the top at a national contest. It grew again through her marriages to two well-known men. Since then, she has built her own career in writing, speaking and charity work.
Search results often mix accurate facts with errors about her. This article sticks to details confirmed by Wikipedia, news coverage and publisher listings.
Patricia Southall Bio at a Glance
This table summarizes the most important verified facts about Patricia Southall.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Patricia Annette Southall |
| Also known as | Pat Smith, Pat Southall Smith |
| Date of birth | December 17, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Norfolk, Virginia (raised in Chesapeake, Virginia) |
| Age (October 2026) | 55 |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Henry Southall and Mildred Southall |
| Education | Journalism degree, James Madison University |
| Pageant title | Miss Virginia USA (crowned late 1993, competed at Miss USA 1994) |
| Miss USA result | First runner-up to Lu Parker of South Carolina |
| Occupation | Author, speaker, philanthropist, nonprofit founder |
| Organizations | Founder and CEO of Treasure You; CEO of Pat Smith Enterprises |
| Book | Second Chances (released May 17, 2016) |
| Former spouses | Martin Lawrence (married 1995, divorced 1997); Emmitt Smith (married April 22, 2000, separation announced 2020) |
| Children | Jasmin Page Lawrence (born January 15, 1996); Emmitt Smith IV, Skylar and Elijah |
| Stepdaughter | Rheagen Smith |
Early Life and Education
Patricia Southall grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, as the daughter of Henry and Mildred Southall. Wikipedia lists Norfolk as her birthplace, while several profiles name Chesapeake, the city where she spent her childhood.
She attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and earned a degree in journalism. That training in writing and communication fits the work she does today as an author and public speaker.
A newspaper profile from her pageant years reported that her mother’s death inspired her to compete. That detail helps explain why family, faith and resilience appear so often in her later messages to women.
Miss Virginia USA and the Miss USA 1994 Pageant
Patricia Southall won the Miss Virginia USA crown in late 1993, which earned her a place at the Miss USA 1994 pageant. She represented Virginia on the national stage and finished as first runner-up. Lu Parker of South Carolina took the title that year.
The runner-up finish became part of her personal story. She often ties it to a simple message that second place can become a win when a person chooses to make it one.
Some low-quality websites claim she won Miss USA. Wikipedia and other reliable sources do not support that claim. She won a state title and placed second nationally, which is a significant achievement on its own.
Marriage to Martin Lawrence and Daughter Jasmin
Patricia Southall met comedian and actor Martin Lawrence in 1992, according to published profiles. Reports say they met while she worked in the press office of Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder.
The couple married in 1995 and welcomed their daughter, Jasmin Page Lawrence, on January 15, 1996. They divorced in 1997, after about two years of marriage.
Jasmin is her first child. Heavy, a news site, described Jasmin as 20 years old in a 2016 profile of her mother. Southall has stayed close to her family through the years and often shares family milestones in public interviews.
Marriage to Emmitt Smith and Family Life
Patricia Southall married Emmitt Smith on April 22, 2000, while he still played running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Smith later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame and became the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.
The couple raised three children together: sons Emmitt Smith IV and Elijah, and daughter Skylar. Southall also became stepmother to Rheagen Smith, Emmitt’s daughter from an earlier relationship.
During their marriage, the pair ran a charity called Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities. Southall also built her own platform through Treasure You and her speaking work.
The couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary in 2020. Less than four months later, Smith announced on social media that they were separating, and the two later divorced. They continue to co-parent their children.
What Is Treasure You?
Treasure You is a nonprofit organization that supports women facing emotional, spiritual and financial hardship. Patricia Southall founded the group and serves as its CEO and spokesperson.
The organization hosts retreats for women from across the United States. These events focus on healing, encouragement and faith, and they give women a space to rebuild confidence after difficult seasons of life.
Profiles of the organization say it aims to provide scholarships so that women can attend regardless of their background. That goal keeps the retreats open to women who could not otherwise afford them.
Southall draws on her own experience with loss, public scrutiny and divorce when she speaks at these events. Her story gives the programs a personal voice instead of a corporate one.
Second Chances: Her Book
Patricia Southall published her first book, Second Chances, on May 17, 2016. The full title is Second Chances: Finding Healing for Your Pain, Regaining Your Strength, Celebrating Your New Life. The book appeared through Bethany House, part of Baker Publishing Group.
The book speaks directly to women who feel stuck after a painful event, such as a divorce, a loss or a personal failure. She combines her own story with practical encouragement and faith-based advice.
Local news outlet 13NewsNow reported that she promoted the book on a 10-city tour and called her one of Chesapeake’s own. That hometown connection mattered to her, since she returned to the region where she grew up.
Her book title also echoes her pageant history, since she once placed second and later built a message around fresh starts.
Business and Public Work
Patricia Southall serves as CEO of Pat Smith Enterprises, which supports her speaking, writing and brand work. She uses the name Pat Smith in this work.
Event organizers have featured her as a speaker at luncheons and summits, including the Family Compass luncheon. She usually talks about resilience, healing, purpose and women’s well-being.
Her background in journalism helps her tell clear, direct stories. Audiences hear a message built on experience, not on theory.
Patricia Southall Today
Patricia Southall continues to lead Treasure You and to speak about healing and renewal. She stays active in women’s ministry and community programs, and she remains involved in her children’s lives.
Recent reports say she has spoken openly about wanting to find love again. She has also said she is focusing on her own healing, and she has apologized publicly to her former partners.
In December 2025, reports noted that Emmitt Smith celebrated a family milestone with her and their son EJ. That moment showed that the former couple still cooperates as parents.
If you enjoy profiles of public figures who built second careers, you can browse more biographies on Papular Press.
Conclusion
Patricia Southall rose from a Virginia pageant stage to become an author, speaker and the founder of Treasure You. Her marriages to Martin Lawrence and Emmitt Smith brought public attention, but her book, charity work and retreats define her own legacy. For more biographies and trending profiles, visit Papular Press.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patricia Southall
Who is Patricia Southall?
Patricia Southall, also known as Pat Smith, is an American author, philanthropist and former Miss Virginia USA. She founded Treasure You, a nonprofit that supports women facing emotional, spiritual and financial hardship. Many people also know her as the former wife of comedian Martin Lawrence and Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith.
How old is Patricia Southall?
Patricia Southall was born on December 17, 1970. As of October 2026, she is 55 years old, and she will turn 56 on December 17, 2026. Some websites list different birth dates, but Wikipedia and most biographical profiles agree on December 17, 1970 as her birthday.
What is Treasure You?
Treasure You is a nonprofit organization that Patricia Southall founded to support women facing emotional, spiritual and financial hardship. The group hosts retreats for women from across the country and aims to offer scholarships so that women can attend regardless of their background. She serves as its CEO and spokesperson.
Did Patricia Southall win Miss USA?
No. She won the Miss Virginia USA title in late 1993 and competed at Miss USA 1994, where she placed first runner-up to Lu Parker of South Carolina. Some low-quality websites claim she won Miss USA, but Wikipedia and other reliable sources do not support that claim.
Who was Patricia Southall married to?
Patricia Southall married comedian Martin Lawrence in 1995, and they divorced in 1997. She married Emmitt Smith on April 22, 2000. Smith announced their separation in 2020, after their 20th anniversary, and the couple later divorced. They still co-parent their three children together.
Does Patricia Southall have children?
Yes. She has a daughter, Jasmin Page Lawrence, born January 15, 1996, with Martin Lawrence. With Emmitt Smith, she has three children: Emmitt Smith IV, Skylar and Elijah. She is also stepmother to Rheagen Smith, Emmitt’s daughter from an earlier relationship.
What book did Patricia Southall write?
Patricia Southall wrote Second Chances: Finding Healing for Your Pain, Regaining Your Strength, Celebrating Your New Life. The book came out on May 17, 2016, through Bethany House, part of Baker Publishing Group. It offers encouragement and faith-based guidance for women recovering from painful life events and starting over.
Where did Patricia Southall go to college?
Patricia Southall attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she earned a journalism degree. She grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, before college. Her communication training supports her current work as an author, speaker and nonprofit leader who shares her story with audiences across the country.
What is Patricia Southall’s net worth?
No reliable source confirms Patricia Southall’s net worth. Some websites list figures such as $500,000, but they cite no financial records. Her income likely comes from speaking, writing, her business ventures and nonprofit leadership, though the exact amount remains private and unverified.
What is Patricia Southall doing now?
Patricia Southall leads Treasure You, hosts retreats for women and speaks at events about healing and renewal. She also serves as CEO of Pat Smith Enterprises and stays involved in her children’s lives. Recent reports say she is focusing on her own healing and remains open to finding love again.
