There are loves that go through time in silence, without ever having to make noise.

When Sidney Poitier died on January 6, 2022, there was still the woman who had chosen almost half a century before.

Her name was Joanna Shimkus.

Their story began at the end of the Sixties on the set of the film *The Lost Man*. No one could imagine that this meeting would create a union that would last for the rest of their lives.

In those years Sidney Poitier was already much more than a movie star.

He changed the Hollywood story.

In 1964 he became the first African American actor to win the Oscar as the best star actor thanks to *The field lilies*, a goal that went well beyond artistic recognition.

To get there he had to fight a different battle than that of many of his colleagues.

He played roles built on stereotypes for years, choosing to interpret characters that restored dignity, intelligence and humanity to African Americans at a time when cinema offered very few opportunities in this direction.

In 1967 came one of the films symbol of his career, * Guess who comes to dinner?*, released just as the United States was experiencing a historical moment. In the same year, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the laws prohibiting interracial marriages.

Shortly thereafter, Joanna entered her life.

Canadian actress, with experiences between Europe and North America, did not look for the spotlights that accompanied every step of Poitier. In the years he would have told several times that he had found something rare with her: a serenity he had never met before.

They married in January 1976.

Two daughters, Anika and Sydney Tamiia, were born from their marriage, but above all a family that would remain united for decades, far from the clamor of the world of entertainment.

Meanwhile, the awards continued.

The Honorary Oscar in 2002.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

The admiration of colleagues, directors and millions of spectators.

Yet, behind every award, there was still the same person who had accompanied him in everyday life.

During a 1998 interview, they asked Joanna what was the secret of their marriage.

His answer was surprisingly simple.

"We were meant to be together. »

He did not speak of magic formulas.

He did not speak of sacrifice.

In those few words there was the synthesis of a shared life, built day after day.

When Sidney Poitier died at the age of 94, only a few days were missing at their 46th anniversary.

They couldn't celebrate it.

But after a life spent side by side, maybe there was no need.

Because some love stories don't fit with anniversaries.

It is measured by the time that two people choose to cross together.