Claire Stoermer: The True Story of Zendaya’s Mother

Claire Stoermer may not live in the spotlight, but her story is one people love to hear. She is best known as Zendaya’s mother, yet she has her own warm, inspiring, and beautiful life journey. Claire raised one of the biggest stars in the world, but she did it with quiet strength, calm love, and simple values. Many fans want to know: Who is the woman who helped shape Zendaya? What is her life really like? How did she support her daughter before fame?

In this article, we will look at the true story of Claire Stoermer. We will explore her early life, her family background, her teaching career, her time at the California Shakespeare Theater, her bond with Zendaya, and the many ways she helped her daughter follow her dreams. Everything is written in easy and simple words so anyone can enjoy reading it.

Let’s begin.

Claire Stoermer Quick Bio

Who Is Claire Stoermer?

Claire Stoermer is the loving mother of actress and singer Zendaya. Even though she became known because of her famous daughter, Claire has always lived a quiet and simple life. She is not someone who seeks attention. She enjoys peace, teaching, nature, and making handmade jewelry.

People admire her because she raised Zendaya with strong values. Claire taught her to be kind, humble, and proud of who she is. When you look at Zendaya today—smart, respectful, and grounded—you can clearly see the influence of her mother.

Claire may not be a celebrity, but her story shows that real strength often comes from quiet people who work hard behind the scenes.

Claire Stoermer’s Early Life and Family Background

Claire Stoermer was born on March 24, 1964, in Oakland, California. She grew up in a loving home with five older siblings. Her childhood was simple and full of family moments. She learned early on how to be patient, caring, and responsible.

Her background is a blend of German, Scottish, and Dutch roots. This mix became an important part of the family because Zendaya often talks about being proud of both sides of her heritage. Claire’s family history helped Zendaya understand her own identity and love every part of who she is.

Growing up in Oakland also shaped Claire’s personality. She learned to work hard, stay strong, and never give up on the people she loves. These childhood lessons later helped her become a wonderful mother and teacher.

Claire Stoermer’s Education and Early Goals

Claire went to Oakland High School and later studied at Santa Clara University. She was always interested in helping people, especially children. She wanted to make a difference in their lives and help them grow.

This is why she chose teaching. She believed that education could open doors and change lives. She wanted her students to feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Claire is the kind of person who gives her heart to the things she cares about, and teaching was one of those things.

Her education also gave her the confidence to raise Zendaya in a thoughtful and open way. She knew how important it was to guide children with love and strong values.

Claire Stoermer as a Teacher

Teaching is a big part of Claire Stoermer’s life story. She worked for many years at inner-city schools in Oakland, including Fruitvale Elementary. These schools often did not have enough money or support, but Claire still gave her best every single day.

Zendaya has shared many times how much she admired her mother for this. She said she grew up watching Claire go “above and beyond” for her students. Claire introduced kids to art, to Shakespeare, and even to nature outside the city. She wanted them to see a world bigger than their own.

Her hard work did not just help her students—it helped Zendaya too. Watching Claire teach taught her daughter about kindness, compassion, and the power of helping others. These lessons stayed with Zendaya as she entered Hollywood, where staying humble is not always easy.

Working at the California Shakespeare Theater

Another important part of Claire’s story is her work at the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda. She worked there as a house manager and also trained students in the youth theater program. The theater became a second home for Claire—and for young Zendaya.

This was the place where Zendaya first fell in love with acting. She grew up watching plays, watching actors rehearse, and watching her mom work behind the scenes. Imagine being a little girl walking around backstage, listening to Shakespeare, and seeing the magic of theater. It is easy to understand why Zendaya felt connected to the stage from such a young age.

Claire never pushed Zendaya into acting. Instead, she simply gave her daughter a space where creativity felt natural and fun. That gentle support helped Zendaya discover who she wanted to be.

The Mother-Daughter Bond

The bond between Claire Stoermer and Zendaya is one of the sweetest parts of this story. These two share a deep, loving, and warm connection. They understand each other, respect each other, and support each other no matter what.

Zendaya has always spoken with so much love when she talks about her mother. She says Claire is her biggest role model. She often calls her a “queen” and praises her natural beauty, her calm personality, and her kind heart.

One famous moment was when someone online made a rude comment about Claire’s looks. Zendaya responded with a powerful message. She said her parents were “the two most selfless people in the world” and reminded everyone that beauty comes from kindness and strength—not from looks. That moment showed how deeply Zendaya loves and protects her mother.

Their bond is strong because Claire raised Zendaya with honesty, love, and respect. She taught her to stay humble even when success came. And she taught her to always be kind, even when life gets busy.

Claire Stoermer’s Role in Zendaya’s Early Career

Many people do not know how much Claire did during Zendaya’s early years in Hollywood. When Zendaya first started auditioning, the family did not have a lot of money. Claire worked two jobs—teaching in the day and working at the theater at night. These jobs helped pay for long drives from Oakland to Los Angeles.

When Zendaya was 13 and started working for Disney Channel, she moved to L.A. with her father, Kazembe. Claire stayed in Oakland because she still had her teaching job and did not want to leave her students. Zendaya has said this time was hard, because she missed her mom so much. But Claire made sure to visit every other week.

Even from a distance, Claire was guiding her. She reminded Zendaya to focus on school. She reminded her to stay true to herself. And she reminded her that fame should never change who she is inside.

This support helped Zendaya stay grounded during a very busy and confusing time in her young life.

Claire Stoermer’s Jewelry Brand, Kizzmet Jewelry

After many years of teaching, Claire began something new—her own jewelry line called Kizzmet Jewelry. She creates handmade pieces using crystals, gems, and natural stones. Her designs are simple, beautiful, and full of positive energy.

Zendaya loves her mom’s jewelry and often wears it. She even posted about it online, proudly telling the world that her mom is a “dope ass jewelry designer.” Those small moments show how much admiration Zendaya has for Claire.

Claire enjoys sharing her jewelry on Instagram. She never tries to be flashy. She simply shares her art in a quiet and loving way, just like everything else she does.

Zendaya’s Mother Claire Stoermer and Her Heritage

Claire Stoermer has a rich and interesting background. Her family roots include German, Scottish, and Dutch history. Zendaya often shares how proud she is of this side of her family. Claire taught her daughter to love every part of her identity, because each part tells a story.

Zendaya has talked about how her full name carries her family history. “Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman” is a mix of African, French, German, and Scottish roots. Claire helped her daughter understand where these names came from and why they matter. This is why Zendaya speaks about culture with so much confidence and love.

Growing up in a home that blended different cultures helped Zendaya see the beauty in diversity. Claire’s gentle lessons about heritage shaped how Zendaya views the world today—open, curious, and proud of who she is.

Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman

The relationship between Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman is a big part of their family story. They met in the 1990s, and years later, they welcomed Zendaya into their lives in 1996. They got married in 2008, when Zendaya was 12 years old.

In 2016, Claire filed for divorce. For many families, divorce can be painful and messy. But Claire and Kazembe chose a different path. They stayed calm, respectful, and kind toward each other. Zendaya later shared that her parents had been separated for a long time but kept it private because they valued peace over drama.

Even after their split, Claire and Kazembe continued to support Zendaya as a team. They showed her that love does not disappear just because a marriage ends. This lesson helped Zendaya understand healthy relationships and carry those values into her adult life.

Claire Stoermer as a Mother of a Big Blended Family

Even though Zendaya is Claire’s only biological child, Claire has been a mother figure to a much larger family. Kazembe has five older children from a previous marriage: Katianna, Annabella, Kaylee, Austin, and Julien. Claire welcomed them with kindness and warmth.

Zendaya grew up as the youngest sibling in this blended family. She often talks about how much she learned from her older sisters and brothers. They taught her common sense, courage, and real-life lessons that helped her stay grounded when fame arrived.

The family is also full of nieces and nephews. Zendaya has said that being an aunt is one of her favorite roles. Claire’s loving and peaceful nature helped create a home where everyone felt included, no matter their age or background. That sense of unity stayed with them even as Zendaya became one of the biggest stars in the world.

Claire Stoermer’s Life Today

Today, Claire Stoermer enjoys a simple, calm, and happy life. She lives in California and continues to run her jewelry brand, Kizzmet Jewelry. She still designs pieces by hand, sharing small updates on Instagram. Her followers love her gentle posts and quiet personality.

Even though her daughter is famous, Claire stays away from the Hollywood lifestyle. She prefers peace over attention. She chooses small joys like making jewelry, walking her dogs, and spending time with family. Many fans love her for this. She feels real and relatable, even though she is the mother of a global star.

Claire still shares a close bond with Zendaya. They celebrate birthdays, support each other’s work, and enjoy quiet moments together. Their relationship shows that fame cannot break the love between a mother and daughter.

Final Thoughts

Claire Stoermer inspires people because of her quiet strength. She worked long hours as a teacher. She supported Zendaya’s dreams when the family had little money. She raised her daughter with kindness and honesty. She faced challenges without seeking attention or praise.

What makes her story special is how simple and real it is. She did not try to be a star. She did not chase fame. She focused on doing the right thing for her family. And in the end, her values helped raise one of the most loved and respected celebrities today.

Many people look at Claire and see a reminder that you do not need fame to make a big impact. Kindness, hard work, and love can change lives in powerful ways. That is the true story of Claire Stoermer—Zendaya’s mother, her guide, and her quiet hero.

(FAQs)

How tall is Claire Stoermer?

Claire Stoermer is about 5 feet 6 inches tall. Many people are surprised because she often looks even taller when she stands beside Zendaya. Zendaya once said her mom is “taller than everyone,” which fans loved.

How many children does Claire Stoermer have?

Claire has one child of her own — Zendaya. But the shocking part is that she also helped raise five stepchildren from Kazembe’s past relationship. So Zendaya actually grew up in a very big family.

What is Claire Stoermer’s nationality and ethnicity?

Claire Stoermer is American, but her background is very mixed. She has German, Scottish, and Dutch roots. This mix, along with Kazembe’s African roots, is why Zendaya has such a unique look.

Who is Claire Stoermer’s husband?

Claire Stoermer was married to Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, Zendaya’s dad. They got married in 2008, when Zendaya was 12. Claire asked for a divorce in 2016, but the surprising part is that they had already been apart for years before the public even knew.

What happened between Claire Stoermer and Kazembe?

Claire and Kazembe separated quietly and stayed friends. When the news finally came out in 2016, Zendaya shocked everyone by saying her parents “ain’t been together for a long time.” Even after the breakup, they still worked as a team to support Zendaya.

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