Meet Merle Dandridge’s parents — Kiyoko Sang Pedersen and Andrew Dandridge.
This article attempts to discuss their heritage, age, work, and marriage. You will also learn about their current residence as of 2022. (tropicanabakery.com) So keep scrolling as this article reveals information about Merle Dandridge’s parents.
Who were Merle Dandridge’s parents?
Actress Merle Dandridge was born to Andrew Dandridge and Kiyoko Sang Pedersen in Okinawa, Japan in 1975.
But her fans also wonder if the actress is related to 1950s actress Dorothy Dandridge. Dorothy was the first black woman to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Carmen in Carmen Jones.
However, they are not related, only having the same last name. Carmen had a daughter, Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas, who died in 2003.
Back to her parents, in March 2021, she posted a photo of her parents on their wedding day. She captioned the post, “This is me. I am a fusion of cultures. I am a bridge. Sometimes a bridge is not welcome… but it is necessary. It is the path to a deeper understanding, empathy, our common humanity.”
Read more about her parents below.
Meet Merle Dandridge Father, Andrew Dandridge
Merle Dandridge’s father is Andrew Dandridge (Photo: Instagram)
Merle Dandridge’s father is African American. On Father’s Day 2017, she wrote on her Instagram, “He taught me how to stand up, stand tall, and walk with purpose. Love you, Dad. And Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing, tenacious dads out there. You make a difference.”
On September 28, 2021, Andrew Dandridge turned 79 years old.
Andrew Dandridge’s father served in the military. His actress daughter tweeted in April 2021, “My dad started his military career during the civil rights movement sitting in the back of a bus serving his country. How far have we come?”
According to OpenGovUs, he is affiliated with the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, a tax-exempt organization that has filed with the IRS.
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What is Andrew Dandridge’s nationality?
Andrew Dandridge is an American citizen.
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Is Andrew Dandridge on IG?
No, Andrew Dandridge is not on Instagram but he is on his daughter’s Instagram and Facebook.
Meet Merle Dandridge’s mother, Kiyoko Sang Pedersen
Merle Dandridge with her mother Kiyoko Sang Pedersen (Photo: Merle’s Twitter)
Kiyoko Sang Pedersen, Merle Dandridge’s mother, is of Korean-Japanese descent. In May 2019, she celebrated Mother’s Day via an IG post. She wrote, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when the sky is gray.” I love you, Mom. #mothersday.
Being mixed-race, Kiyoko often mentions the discrimination she may have suffered because of her mixed-race heritage.
“My mother belonged to two cultures that did not accept her 100 percent,” Merle told Asian American Media Center in 2016. “So she had this understanding of rejection based on her own experiences. She would look at me and say, ‘You’re ethnically diverse, and you may not always be accepted, so go into the world with that understanding and know that you are more than that. You are beautiful.’ And in many ways, she instilled in me a sense of who I was and gave me a way to deal with the fear of not being fully accepted.”
Supposedly born in 1942, Kiyoko San Pedersen is now 79 years old (as of 2022). On April 8, she wished her mother a happy birthday with an IG post while quoting Maya Angelou.
According to an IG post by Merle, Kiyoko Sang Pedersen is in Nursing school. So she might have pursued a career in nursing.
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What is Kiyoko Sang Pedersen’s nationality?
Kiyoko Sang Pedersen is a Japanese national.
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Is Kiyoko Sang Pedersen on IG?
No, Kiyoko Sang Pedersen doesn’t seem to be on any social media platforms. However, Merle features her on her Facebook and Instagram.
Related FAQs
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How many children are there in the Merle Dandridge family?
Merle Dandridge appears to be the only child her parents share. However, she has an older sister named Jen, an artist, who celebrates her birthday on June 24. While in May 2016, Merle tweeted, “My mom. Survivor of 2 wars, loss of 2 children, learned English while in nursing school. She is my hero.”
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Are Merle Dandridge’s parents still married?
No, Merle Dandridge’s parents divorced after she was born. However, how long their marriage lasted is not shared. Furthermore, her mother Kiyoko later married Dean T Pedersen from Council Bluffs, Iowa, who is 87 years old as of 2022.
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Where do Merle Dandridge’s parents live?
Merle Dandridge’s father Andrew lives in Cordova, Tennessee while her mother Kiyoko lives in Council Bluffs.