# Pastor Israel Ford Explains Polygynous Marriage

> Cleveland pastor Israel Ford details his polygynous marriage after backlash over two wives.
- Title: Pastor Israel Ford Explains Polygynous Marriage · Complex
- Summary: Cleveland pastor Israel Ford details his polygynous marriage after backlash over two wives. Cleveland pastor Israel Ford explains his polygynous marriage to…
- Keywords: israel ford, life works church, cleveland, polygynous marriage, lydia, shakayla, culture, music, Pastor, Israel, Ford, Explains
- Source: Complex — https://complex.com/life/a/markelibert/israel-ford-two-wives-backlash
- Published: 2026-10-28T16:10:24.113+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: israel ford, life works church, cleveland, polygynous marriage, lydia, shakayla, culture, music
## Pastor Israel Ford
Cleveland pastor Israel Ford explains his polygynous marriage to two wives after going viral.

> Our prophet, he has a second wife. Y'all know her, y'all love her, y'all benefit from her ministry every week
## Marriage Timeline
Lydia revealed polygynous marriage during church service after Shakayla helped her recover from surgery.
## Relationship Development
Ford developed romantic feelings for Shakayla after she became close to family while helping Lydia recover.
## Transparency Principle
Ford believes transparency is everything after preaching about living what he does.

> I believe that if you do something and you preach something, you should live it
## Controversy Background
Ford faced domestic violence conviction in 2019 and prior legal issues with another woman.
## Key takeaway

Cleveland pastor Israel Ford explains his polygynous marriage to his two wives, emphasizing transparency after facing backlash.