Tamayo Perry's Wife Is Also a Surfer and Said He Gave Her "Priceless" Ocean Knowledge

Lifeguard Tamayo Perry died on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at age 49. In addition to being renowned in his field, he rose to fame with roles in films and TV shows like Blue Crush, Hawaii Five-0, Lost, and Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Authorities claimed that Tamayo died from being attacked by a shark while surfing off the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

He lived and worked in Hawaii as the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard.

Tamayo will be remembered for his impressive surfing skills and, as Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager told , his "infectious" personality. His community, especially his family, is also dealing with the tremendous loss.

Tamayo's wife, Emilia Perry, was by his side throughout his life and career. Upon his death, many wonder about his partner and their relationship that ended too soon.

In the early 2000s, Tamayo debuted acting by playing himself in Blue Crush. The year before the Kate Bosworth-led film debuted, he committed his life to his wife, Emilia. Emilia, who was born and raised in Western Australia, where she built her own career as a professional bodyboarder. She eventually moved to Hawaii to begin surfing competitively. While there, she met and fell in love with Tamayo. The couple eventually married on Dec. 31, 2001.

In 2016, after 15 years of marriage, Tamayo and Emilia decided to start a business together. They created their own business, Oahu Surfing Experience, which offers surfing lessons and professional mermaid shoots in Hawaii. On the website, Emilia shared how her partnership with Tamayo improved her life and career as a professional surfer.

"When I was 18 years old, I came to Hawaii for a competition and met Tamayo while bodyboarding out at Pipeline," she wrote in her Oahu Surfing Experience bio. "A few years later, I picked up a surfboard, we got married, and there was no turning back. The vast amounts of ocean knowledge that Tamayo has ingrained in me over the years is priceless.”

Tamayo and Emilia were married for 22 years before he died. On Dec. 31, 2023, he shared how he had been "lucky enough to encounter a rare unicorn or spot an elusive mermaid in the wild," referencing Emilia as his "mermaid." He also wrote how "extremely blessed" he was to have spent the last two decades with the woman of his dreams.

"22 years married to this very day & still counting the #wonderful #memories we share daily," Tamayo wrote on Instagram. "Intelligent, wise, creative, energetic, loving, beautiful & most important of all, you Love Jesus. Which means you’re stuck with me for eternity. Happy 22 Anniversary you sexy babe you & I love you my mermaid, more then ever!!!"

From what we know, Tamayo and Emilia didn't have any children during their 22-year marriage. However, their love was enough to sustain him, as surfer shared in another Instagram post on Emilia's birthday several weeks before his passing.

"I never want you to forget, that I absolutely love & adore you," Tamayo wrote to his 'beautiful mermaid.' "Thank you for always pulling me out of my box, & instigating & sharing so many wild & crazy adventures with me. You are a wild child & it will be an honor to share many more birthdays, surf sessions & journeys around God’s glorious planet together with you my darling. Happy Birthday my gorgeous wife & I hope your day is an absolutely special one for you!!!"

We're sending Emilia and Tamayo's family healing thoughts. Rest in peace!