April 6, 2026, 9:59 a.m. ET
Gabrielle Union is a daddy’s girl through and through.
Union, 53, revealed the death of her father, Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr., in an emotional Instagram post Saturday, April 4. Cully Union, a military veteran, battled dementia prior to his death, the actress shared.
“No matter how much you think you know about dementia, nothing prepares you for the painfully slow disappearing of your loved one,” Union wrote alongside a video montage of throwback clips of her father.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a “collection of cognitive, functional and behavioral symptoms that are caused by a variety of specific diseases,” including Alzheimer’s disease, Courtney Kloske, director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association, previously told USA TODAY.
The symptoms of dementia typically include “short-term memory loss, repeating questions, misplacing items and struggling with everyday activities like managing medications, cooking and using technology,” Dr. Nathaniel Chin, medical director and clinical core co-leader of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, previously told USA TODAY.
“First, it’s repeating words or forgetting little things here or there, then BOOM, he can’t swallow or walk,” Union continued. “The them that you know gets smaller and smaller. You hold out hope for sustained eye contact or a smile; even a hand squeeze can make you feel like they could come back to you ‘normal’ at any second. It’s brutal, and it’s what he experienced, but it wasn’t who he was.”
Union, who described her father as a “perfectly imperfect man,” paid tribute to his impact and got candid on the evolution of their relationship.
“A lifelong, die-hard Nebraska fan, he taught me the values of teamwork, a fierce work ethic and that you are only as strong as your weakest link, so tend to them first,” Union wrote.
She continued: “Over time he evolved, acknowledged his imperfections, apologized and made amends for as long as it took for the hurts to heal. He made it his business to look after everyone. He loved our friends, too, and treated them like his sons and daughters. No one was ever left behind or unseen.”
Union thanked her dad’s healthcare staff for “[ensuring] he had the best care,” as well as “all who stepped up in his final years to care, nurture and love on him.”
“It’s bewildering to feel relief that the pain has ended but profound heartbreak at the finality of his time,” Union concluded. “I know I’m not the first or last daddy’s girl to go through this, and I’m sending love and healing to anyone suffering the loss of a parent. I know his love is eternal and will find me in every realm.”
Contributing: Daryl Austin, USA TODAY
