Leigh Anne Tuohy

Background and Education

Leigh Anne Tuohy was born on August 9, 1960, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Virginia and Stanley Roberts. Her father served as a U.S. Air Marshal. She was raised alongside her brother, Stanford Roberts, and spent much of her early life close to her maternal grandmother, Virginia "Virgie" Cummings.

Tuohy attended Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis before enrolling at the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, she was a cheerleader and a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design.

Family Life and Relationship with Michael Oher

Tuohy met her husband, Sean Tuohy, while they were both attending the University of Mississippi. Sean was a standout basketball player for the Ole Miss Rebels and later became known for his record-setting performance in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where he still ranks among the top for career assists.

The couple married in 1982 and have three children, including their adoptive son Michael Oher. Oher played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He later won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens.

Leigh Anne Tuohy gained national recognition through the bestselling book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis, which was later adapted into the 2009 film The Blind Side. Sandra Bullock portrayed Tuohy in the film, a performance that earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. The story highlights the Tuohy family’s role in supporting Oher through his difficult youth and into athletic success.

The Tuohy family remains active in various civic and religious organizations, including Grace Evangelical Church, where they are founding members. In recognition of her philanthropic contributions, Leigh Anne Tuohy received an honorary doctorate from Christian Brothers University in 2010.