Gospel Icon Marvin Sapp Announces Engagement to Dr. La'Boris Cole

The celebrated singer and pastor is preparing to embark on a new chapter after navigating life as a widower.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Gospel music icon Marvin Sapp has announced his engagement to Dr. La'Boris Cole, a leader in ministry and the behavioral health field. The couple's engagement was revealed during a birthday celebration orchestrated by Sapp's adult children. Sapp, known for hits like "Never Would Have Made It," has been open about his journey as a widower and his desire to find love again after the passing of his wife in 2010.

Why it matters

Sapp's engagement represents a personal milestone and a testament to the power of second chances, the enduring strength of faith, and the beauty of finding love after loss. His story resonates with many and offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who believe in the possibility of a brighter future.

The details

Sapp and Cole had been friends for over a decade before embarking on a romantic relationship, a connection they intentionally kept private until they were certain of their shared future. Sapp has been candid about his desire to find love again, but only after ensuring his children were settled and thriving. Dr. Cole is the founder and executive director of the Born 2 Danz Worship Arts Conference and the founder and CEO of Cole Associates & Counselors of Texas, a multi-site behavioral health practice.

  • Sapp's wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp, passed away from colon cancer in 2010.
  • In a 2022 interview, Sapp expressed his desire to find love again after his children were grown and healed.
  • The engagement was revealed during a birthday celebration orchestrated by Sapp's adult children.

The players

Marvin Sapp

A gospel music icon, celebrated singer, and pastor who has been open about his journey as a widower and his desire to find love again.

Dr. La'Boris Cole

A leader in ministry and the behavioral health field, the founder and executive director of the Born 2 Danz Worship Arts Conference, and the founder and CEO of Cole Associates & Counselors of Texas.

MaLinda Prince Sapp

Marvin Sapp's late wife, who passed away from colon cancer in 2010.

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What they’re saying

“Now that they're all adults…I really just sought God and said ok, listen, just give me life enough that after I see my children are grown and healed, which was most important to me, allow me to have enough life so that I can share life with someone else one day.”

— Marvin Sapp (98.9 Kiss FM in Lagos, Nigeria)

“What I've learned in this dating space, strangely enough, is I've learned that 20th-century women are definitely different from 21st-century women.”

— Marvin Sapp (98.9 Kiss FM in Lagos, Nigeria)

What’s next

A wedding date has not yet been announced, but the announcement of their engagement has been met with widespread congratulations from fans and colleagues alike.

The takeaway

Sapp's engagement to Dr. Cole represents a personal milestone and a testament to the power of second chances, the enduring strength of faith, and the beauty of finding love after loss. His story offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who believe in the possibility of a brighter future.