Gabrielle Union Celebrates Dad’s 81st Birthday amid Dementia Struggle: ‘His Eyes Lit Up When He Saw Me’

Gabrielle Union shared a bittersweet moment while celebrating her father’s 81st birthday amid his battle with dementia.

The Bring It On star, 52, shared a series of photos on Instagram Oct. 16 in honor of her father Sylvester’s birthday, writing, “It’s my Dad’s 81st birthday and I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful to be his daughter.”

The photos showed family members, including her sister Tracy Union and her husband Dwyane Wade, gathered around her father as he rested in an easy chair underneath a blanket in a balloon-decorated room. Union also shared a video, shot by Wade, where her father reacts to gentle teasing from his son-in-law. 

As the actress and entrepreneur wrote in her caption,  “Loving someone is easier when they can communicate, joke, and be affectionate but it’s a blessing to still feel that love and connection when dementia has overtaken him. Almost 🥰.”

She shared that “his eyes lit up when he saw me and @Dwyanewade standing at his bedside. He still chuckles when his grandsons bag on him. He’s still here and that’s enough.”

Union has previously shared that her dad’s medical care has influenced the roles she takes, explaining, “You know, nursing homes, what’s covered by insurance, what’s not, home health aids — like that all adds up and having to really be cognizant of an additional output, I have to go where the money goes.” 

On her father’s birthday last year, Union shared specifics about his memory struggles, explaining, “He definitely thinks Dwyane is still playing for the [Miami] Heat but otherwise remembers quite a bit.”

This year, she asked her followers to “Please send my Dad some birthday love… cuz he might cuss you out if you don’t! 😂 He definitely told his fellow residents in a clear loud voice to ‘Shut the F UP!’ 😂😂🤣🤣.”

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The birthday wishes came through in droves: Aaron Paul commented to his fellow Truth Be Told star’s dad, “Happy birthday you beautiful man you!! You did a damn great job raising your baby girl. She’s pure light.🖤”

Ludacris offered well wishes, commenting, “🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👑👑👑👑👑.”

Sherri Shepherd wrote, “You are [blessed] to have your dad❤️,” a sentiment also shared by close friend Taraji P. Henson, who commented, “Love on him while you can. I miss my daddy everyday!!! What a blessing. Hug him for me 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🎁🎁🎁🥳🥳🥳🎊🎉🎉🎉🎂🎂🎂.”