A friend of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s widow has launched a GoFundMe in an effort to help her and the couple’s 9-year-old daughter as they deal with an ongoing legal battle.
The site was created on Tuesday, Aug. 11, with the creator of the page saying she has been one of Tenisha Warner’s closest friends for 19 years and was the one who first introduced her to Malcolm. The goal is to raise money as Tenisha deals with a legal battle involving her late husband’s estate.
“I am organizing this campaign because I have witnessed, up close, the depth of Tenisha’s grief and the weight she has had to carry,” Rael wrote on the page. “I know she would never ask for this kind of support herself, so I am asking on her behalf.
As of the time of publishing, the site had raised $34,600 of the $40,000 goal.
Warner passed away on July 20, 2025 due to an accidental drowning while on a family vacation in Costa Rica
Tenisha Warner’s Homeschools the Couple’s Daughter
On the GoFundMe page, Tenisha’s friend Destiny Rael, talked about life after Warner’s passing, specifically related to how she’s navigating raising the couple’s child.
“I know that Malcolm is beloved by so many, and his fans are grieving his loss. I can tell you what most people never see. I have watched Tenisha spend this year grieving the love of her life while honoring the promise they made to each other, to homeschool their nine-year-old daughter,” Rael explained. “Every single day she shows up for her child as though her own world had not fallen apart, and still makes sure breakfast is on the table.
“I stayed with Tenisha when she finally returned home after Malcolm’s tragic accident, only to find the house she and her husband built packed into boxes after unexpected flooding. She is rebuilding not only her life without him, but the very home they created together.”
Being an actor requires a lot of time away, and because of that the GoFundMe details how Tenisha took a step back from her career as a Doctor of Psychology to be home for their daughter.
“They made that choice together, and she would gladly make it again. But it means that today, without his income and without access to what he intended to provide for them, she does not have the financial cushion people might assume,” the page added. “As a single mom now, Tenisha carries the cost of resolving Malcolm’s estate alone because asking for help does not come naturally to her.
Tenisha Warner Involved In Ongoing Legal Battle With Actor’s Mother Pamela Warner
Entertainment Now/Getty ImagesThe ongoing legal battle surrounds Warner’s estate, with Tenisha having sued the actor’s mother for a breach of contract involving the couple’s prenuptial agreement.
According to a copy of the complaint obtained by NBC News, Tenisha filed the lawsuit on July 20 in the Superior Court of Dekalb County in Georgia, saying that her late husband “agreed to purchase and maintain a term life insurance policy on his life in the amount of $1,000,000,” with her as the “sole beneficiary.” She says she did not obtain the policy. Pamela serves as successor trustee of the Warner Family Trust, and Tenisha says the trust should cover the obligation.
In my opinion, she should have made sure insurance matters were taken care of…this is something both parties should be involved in making sure everything was finalized.
These GoFundMe are getting out of hand. I need to set up a GoFundMe account, and maybe I can get people to support my financial obligations. I am seeing people who appear to have more than I do, setting up these accounts. If I have
I”m sorry Beverly, but after the fact it’s easy to say could have, should have. Let’s give the lady a break, she has lost her husband and besides that has to worry about taking care of their little girl.
Or she could just get a job …… If he didn’t set up the life insurance before he passed away, it is what it is. Do you know how many ppl in this world “Plan on” setting up life insurance. They pass away without doing it, then their family is stuck with the Bill. If he didn’t apply for it then she’ll have to move on without it. That’s life
I hear you Beverly. Out of millions, you didn’t have a joint bank account? Working in Psychology, you didn’t save any money for a rainy day? Yes, your husband is gone and we are sorry for that. However, you may need to get a smaller house and/or work remotely. Talk to LegalAid or find an attorney that will help out pro bono. I have my family and friends who are struggling too and they work. They are content in providing what the family needs while being happy.