Sugar Ray Leonard and Bernadette Robi wed in California - Cover Story

Jet, Sept 20, 1993 by Trudy S. Moore

Floored by a love TKO, boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard recently exchanged vows with model Bernadette Robi in a lavish ceremony at the couple's home in posh Pacific Palisades, Calif.

The grounds of their $8 million estate was transformed into a garden with 10,000 roses of varying hues and an assortment of other fragrant blossoms flown in from Holland for the nuptials.

About 250 of the couple's family members and closest friends attended the evening ceremony. Joined in marriage by Dr. Billy G. Ingram, the couple pledged traditional vows and sealed them with a kiss. After they were pronounced husband and wife, an airplane flew overhead with a banner reading "I love you Bernadette." Grammy Award-winning a capella sextet Take 6 sang Bless This House in tribute to the newlyweds and their new lives together.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Ray Charles Leonard beamed with happiness as they greeted well-wishers, including Tommy "Hit Man" Hearns, Debbie Allen, O.J. Simpson, "Wheel of Fortune" co-host Vanna White, Holly Robinson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, broadcast journalist Maria Shriver.

Following the nuptials, guests were then escorted to dinner in the "secret garden," the tennis court which had been transformed with fountains, hedges, potted plants and pillars decorated with greenery. "I think we rented every tree in Los Angeles," Ray said surveying the dream-like setting.

Guests feasted on a salad with goat cheese and croutons for starters before choosing roasted duck or broiled white fish for the entree. Warm apple tarts with ice cream followed. To top off the evening, trays of champagne kir royales were passed out.

The four-tier wedding cake, decorated with fresh flowers, was a confectionery delight of lemon cake and fresh raspberries. To close out the gala affair, cigars and cognac were passed all around.

And how much did such an opulent affair set Ray back? "I stopped counting at a quarter of a million. I'll just sign the check after the wedding. It's not about money; it's about happiness," he said with that pitchman grin and a shrug of the shoulders.

In addition, the bride's gown was a top-of-the-line creation from designer Richard Glassco accented with Dior flowers. As a symbol of his love, Ray presented his bride with an emerald cut, 9 carat diamond from Van Cleef and Arpels valued at $340,000 to go with her engagement ring, a band of pink diamonds valued at approximately $250,000, which he explained "Marvin Hagler paid for that," jokingly referring to their last match.

After months of dreaming and planning for the day they would become one, their time had arrived. Just a few hours before, the bride-to-be, clad in a long robe, was a bundle of nerves and dark, corkscrew tresses. In between getting hair and makeup together, she told JET how they met and fell in love. Bernadette, 32, who is the daughter of the late Charles Robi, a founding member of The Platters, and his Argentinean wife, Martha, said they were introduced at a Luther Vandross concert.

When their eyes met, "I was speechless. I thought he was handsome, but I didn't know his marital status." As it turned out, she said, he was legally separated from his first wife, Juanita, at the time so she didn't mind saxophonist Kenny G, who introduced them, playing matchmaker. "He stood me up three times," she said, but persistence eventually led to a love connection.

Though he might have been quite a bruiser in the ring during his heyday, Bernadette said it was his soft side that knocked her off her feet. "He's a real gentle person and down to earth with an incredible heart and that's what I saw in him: how gentle he is. He's a very tender person," she gushed.

Bernadette, whose 22-month marriage to gridiron star Lynn Swann ended in divorce in 1983, admitted to JET she is optimistic about this second round of marriage for both of them. "I was very young then. I was 20 when I married Lynn. I'm older and wiser now. Ray and I are both at a place in our lives where we know what we want."

In the meantime, her intended hubby was holed up at the exclusive Bel-Air Hotel. Taking it easy before the "main event," Ray was lounging in a pair of sweat pants and a sweater, contemplating his final hours as a bachelor.

"I never thought I'd get married again," he said without any reservations. "Me and Juanita were married for 10 years and divorce is a hard thing, not just for the couple, its the repercussions on the kids. The two boys really suffered through it," Ray said, a hint of sadness surfacing in his voice as he talked about sons Ray Jr., 19, and Jarrell, 9.

But having lost one bout with marriage, ("I wasn't a perfect husband. I did my share of good and bad") Ray said this time around he knows what it takes to be a winner. "Marriage is like a job. You've got to continue to work on it. Marriage is a full-time occupation. But the benefit is love and trust."

Furthermore, in the tale of the love tape, he has the age advantage this go round. "I was married in my early 20s. I'm 37 now and thank God I can have the chance to enjoy the kids and my wife-to-be. Like I said I've done my share of good and bad and now I'm ready. When you're ready, you know it. I'm ready for a fulfilling life."