Who Is Winndye Jenkins? The Devoted Wife of Larry Hoover

Some stories are so powerful, they stay with us forever. The life of Winndye Jenkins, also known as Larry Hoover’s wife, is one of those stories. She isn’t a celebrity or a movie star. But her strength, loyalty, and love make her someone truly special.

Winndye stood by Larry Hoover, the man known for founding the Gangster Disciples, for over 50 years. Even though he was sent to prison in 1973 and given multiple life sentences, she never gave up on him. She raised a family, fought for his freedom, and carried hope through some of the hardest times.

In this article, we’ll explore who Winndye Jenkins really is, her life story, and why her journey touches so many hearts today in 2025.

Winndye Jenkins Quick Bio

Early Life of Winndye Jenkins

Winndye Jenkins was born on August 12, 1950, in the United States. She is an African-American woman and comes from a Christian background. She grew up in a time when life was very different, especially for Black families in America.

Not much is known about her early education or personal dreams, but one thing is clear—Winndye was strong, smart, and determined from a young age. She carried those qualities with her throughout her life, even when times got tough.

She lived a normal life before meeting Larry Hoover, but everything changed after they met. That meeting would start a love story that lasted more than 50 years—through courtrooms, prison walls, and endless waiting rooms.

How Winndye Jenkins Met Larry Hoover

Winndye met Larry Hoover in 1968, when she was still young. At that time, Larry was already gaining attention on the streets of Chicago. He was a powerful man, known by many, but Winndye saw something more in him—something deeper.

They quickly became close. They shared dreams, laughter, and even struggles. She stood by him through everything, even before the legal battles began.

Many people fall in love, but not everyone stays when things get hard. Winndye did. She stayed when life became almost impossible. That’s what makes her story so different, and so inspiring.

Life Changed After Larry Hoover’s Arrest

In 1973, everything changed. Larry Hoover was arrested for the murder of William Young. Later, in 1997, he was convicted again on drug conspiracy and criminal enterprise charges. He ended up receiving six life sentences, which meant he would likely never leave prison.

This could have been the end of their story. But it wasn’t.

While the world talked about Larry Hoover as a gang leader, Winndye Jenkins remained his partner. She didn’t walk away. Instead, she raised their son, visited her husband in prison, and kept their bond alive—even with just a few short visits each year.

This is where her true strength began to show. She lived life as a single mother, ran businesses, and pushed forward—always carrying hope that one day Larry might come home.

Winndye Jenkins as Larry Hoover’s Wife

Even though they were together for decades, Winndye and Larry weren’t allowed to marry for a long time. The prison system blocked their request again and again. But she didn’t give up.

Finally, after more than 50 years together, they were able to get married on January 9, 2020. It was a moment filled with love and deep meaning. She had waited half a century to become his wife—officially.

Being Larry Hoover’s wife hasn’t been easy. There were court hearings, news headlines, and harsh opinions. But Winndye Jenkins kept going. She always believed that love was worth the fight, and her story proves that real love doesn’t quit.

Motherhood and Family Life

Winndye gave birth to their son, Larry Hoover Jr., while Larry was already behind bars. She raised him mostly alone. Imagine doing school drop-offs, helping with homework, and attending graduations—all while your partner is locked away in another state.

But she did it with grace.

To protect her son, she didn’t let him go to public schools. She wanted to keep him away from the dangers of the streets and the heavy name of “Hoover.” He later went on to attend Brother Rice High School and graduated from Morris Brown College in Atlanta.

She also has a daughter named Samaya Hoover, and Larry Sr. has two other children from past relationships: Larry Bernard (Lil Larry) and Tyree Hoover. Together, this family faced tough times, but they stayed connected with visits, phone calls, and faith.

Visits, Phone Calls, and Separation Pain

Winndye’s connection with her husband has always been limited. For years, she and their children were only allowed to visit him three times a year. Each visit was short, behind glass, and carefully watched.

Sometimes, the prison would cancel visits without any reason, and the family wouldn’t know when they’d see Larry again. But Winndye still packed her bags, took long trips to far-away prisons, and made sure Larry never felt forgotten.

This kind of love is rare. Most people would give up. But not Winndye Jenkins. She made sure her children and grandchildren could still know the man behind the headlines.

The Accusations Against Winndye Jenkins

Being married to a man like Larry Hoover brought many problems into Winndye’s life, even though she had nothing to do with crime. At one point, the government accused her of helping him launder money through her clothing business.

She had started a brand and was doing well. But federal agents reportedly went to her customers and told them not to work with her. They said she was using the business to move drug money, even though they had no proof.

Winndye Jenkins was never charged with anything. She always said she never touched drugs and never wanted anything to do with crime. But the damage was done. She had to shut the business down. It was another hard moment in a long line of setbacks.

Fighting for Larry Hoover’s Freedom

Even after all this, Winndye Jenkins didn’t stop. She kept fighting for her husband’s release. Along with lawyers and supporters, she helped launch The Larry Hoover Project. This group works to either get Hoover clemency or move him to a less strict prison.

She also supported the idea of getting him into the Step-Down Program, which would allow him to leave solitary confinement. Larry has spent over 9,000 hours in isolation. That’s more than most people could handle.

Her son, Larry Hoover Jr., joined her in this fight. In fact, rapper Kanye West (Ye) also helped by talking about Larry’s case in public and even at the White House. Winndye’s strength helped bring more eyes to the situation—and gave her husband a small chance at hope.

Winndye Jenkins and the Paradigm Shift Academy

Besides fighting for Larry’s freedom, Winndye also worked on something else: helping the next generation. With her son, she helped start a group called Paradigm Shift Academy.

This group teaches young people to stay out of gangs and focus on education and goals. Her son does motivational speaking, telling others that even though his father is famous for gang leadership, he was taught to be peaceful, focused, and educated.

Winndye Jenkins used her pain to help others. Instead of staying quiet, she helped build something good—something that changes lives.

Public Reactions and Media Attention

The story of Larry Hoover’s wife, Winndye Jenkins, has caught attention in the news and online. Some people admire her loyalty. Others are shocked that she stayed by his side for so long.

But most agree—her story is one of love, strength, and deep belief. Even after decades of rejection, prison visits, and sadness, she never let go.

Many Black women, like Winndye, carry the emotional weight of family members locked away. Her journey shows how powerful and brave these women truly are.

Where Is Winndye Jenkins Today in 2025?

Today, Winndye Jenkins is still living in the United States. She is now 75 years old (as of 2025) and still stands strong. She stays close to her family and continues to support Larry Hoover Jr. and her grandchildren.

Even though her husband is still in prison, she hasn’t stopped believing that one day, things will change. Her voice is still part of the ongoing effort to bring Larry home, or at least let him live the rest of his life in peace.

She may not be on TV or in the spotlight, but her work, her love, and her loyalty have touched people across the country.

Final Thoughts

In a world where many give up easily, Winndye Jenkins shows what true commitment looks like. She waited over 50 years to legally marry the man she loved. She raised a family, lost a business, faced public judgment, and still kept going.

She is more than just Larry Hoover’s wife—she is a symbol of patience, hope, and faith. Her story reminds us that sometimes love isn’t about big moments. It’s about quiet strength, waiting, and believing when no one else does.

As we look at her journey in 2025, we see a woman who refused to give up—not on her husband, not on her son, and not on the idea of justice.

(FAQs)

How old is Winndye Jenkins in 2025?

Winndye Jenkins is 75 years old in 2025. She was born on August 12, 1950, and has stayed strong through over 50 years of struggle.

How many children does Winndye Jenkins have?

She has two children, including a daughter named Samaya Hoover and a son, Larry Hoover Jr., who was born while Larry was in prison.

Did Winndye Jenkins really wait over 50 years to marry Larry Hoover?

Yes! She waited more than 50 years to legally marry Larry Hoover, and they were finally married on January 9, 2020, while he was still in prison.

What is Winndye Jenkins’ net worth in 2025?

Her net worth is reportedly around $4 million, even though she lost her business after being falsely linked to money laundering.

Where is Winndye Jenkins now in 2025?

She lives in the United States, stays active in family life, and still fights for her husband’s freedom through projects like the Larry Hoover Project.