As Bozoma Saint John steps into the spotlight on Season 14 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH), her life story, including her personal relationships, has naturally become a topic of interest. One significant aspect of her past is her marriage to her late husband, Peter St. John. In the premiere episode, Bozoma openly shared about Peter, offering viewers a glimpse into a deeply personal chapter of her life. This has led many to ask: Who was Peter St. John, and what was his relationship with Bozoma like?
Bozoma Saint John’s Marriage to Peter St. John
Bozoma Saint John was married to Peter St. John until his untimely passing in 2013. Her introduction on RHOBH Season 14 included a poignant moment where she discussed her marriage with Dorit Kemsley. In a heartfelt exchange, Bozoma empathized with Dorit’s marital struggles by sharing her own experience. “So, I’m widowed,” Bozoma revealed. She went on to explain the complexities of their relationship, “But the reason why I empathize is that 10 years into our marriage, we separated. We never got divorced. But then he got sick and we reconciled. He had cancer and, you know, it’s complicated.” This candid revelation immediately sparked curiosity about Peter St. John and the depth of their bond.
How Bozoma and Peter St. John Met
The story of how Bozoma and Peter St. John first crossed paths is both charming and slightly unconventional. Bozoma recounted their initial encounter in a 2019 Instagram post, detailing a chance meeting in New York City. “We met in the cafeteria of the building we both worked in in New York,” she shared. The encounter began with a bit of humorous impatience from Peter. As Bozoma was ordering breakfast, seemingly taking her time, Peter, waiting in line, called out, “You look like royalty, but you don’t own this place. Hurry up and order!” While this bold approach initially “royally pissed off” Bozoma, it undeniably captured her attention and marked the beginning of their relationship. Despite the initial irritation, Peter’s persistence paid off, eventually leading to their marriage in June 2003 in New York City, as reported by Elle.
Peter St. John’s Cancer Diagnosis and Battle
Bozoma and Peter St. John’s decade-long marriage took a challenging turn when Peter was diagnosed with cancer in May 2013. This period profoundly impacted Bozoma’s perspective on life. In an interview with OWN, she reflected on her philosophy shift following Peter’s diagnosis: “Now, it’s really important that I’m urgent because I understand what it really means to live every day fully. Now, I don’t wait. You know, if we want to do something, we make sure that we do it… We don’t want to wait for some magical time in the future to make the memories.”
Peter St. John was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to Essence. He underwent months of chemotherapy, but tragically, was eventually given only weeks to live, as reported by Joy Online. Peter St. John passed away in December 2013. Bozoma has spoken about the importance of their conversations during his final days. In a Talks at Google event in May 2023, she shared, “We had so many conversations, which I’m so thankful for. I am thankful. I’m thankful for the moments to talk about life…life becomes very clear when we know the end is coming.”
Peter St. John’s Legacy: Fatherhood to Lael
Peter St. John’s legacy lives on through his and Bozoma’s daughter, Lael. Lael is now a teenager, and Bozoma often speaks about the joys and challenges of motherhood. As Lael entered 10th grade in 2024, Bozoma reflected on Instagram about the passage of time, writing, “It’s been a journey… and time is precious. Somebody Slow Time Down.” Bozoma has also openly shared her journey to motherhood, including the heartbreaking experience of a stillborn baby prior to Lael’s birth, whom she named Eve. She lovingly refers to Lael as her “rainbow baby,” a symbol of hope and joy after loss. On Mother’s Day, Bozoma expressed her deep gratitude for Lael, “I wished on a star for my rainbow baby…and God delivered her. So every time I say her name LA – EL, it’s a biblical reminder in Hebrew that she belongs to God…and I smile, laugh and praise in full joy. Here’s to the mothers of babies on Earth and in Heaven.”
Bozoma Saint John Today
Bozoma Saint John has built an impressive career as a marketing executive, author, and entrepreneur. Recognized by Forbes as the World’s Most Influential CMO, and included in numerous prestigious lists, her achievements are well-documented. She is the author of the memoir The Urgent Life and founder of The Badass Workshop. Despite her professional success, Bozoma considers being a mother to Lael her greatest accomplishment. As she navigates life and shares her story on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the memory of Peter St. John remains an integral part of her journey and who she is today.
