Olori Tobi Philips-Ogunwusi, the third and youngest wife of the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has revealed that before she got married to the monarch, they dated and broke up once before reuniting again.
The 2012 World Miss University Africa (WMUA) spoke on TVC’s Your View show on Thursday.
During her interview, she recalled an individual introducing her to the Ooni.
“Somebody just called me one day and said would you like to get married to the Ooni of Ife? I was like, what’s that? And then he introduced us.”
On getting back together, the queen said that wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t love him.
She said, “Of course. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t love him. I always promised myself that I would marry who I love. So it’s not like I didn’t have suitors, but there are some values I would want in who I want to be with. And he has that. That’s why I’m here.
“I didn’t take it seriously because I was like, ok, so what is going on? But then we met and started dating, but there was so much interference, and then we didn’t get married. That was quite devastating for me.”
Speaking further, Olori Tobi, who is a fashion designer and mixed media artist, said that contrary to initial media reports, her parents were not against polygamy and her marriage to the Ooni of Ife.
“If you find that person that fits specific criteria that are not negotiable for you, then you go with it. Ordinarily, I never imagined that I would find myself in a polygamous setting, but I always had some non-negotiable,” she said.
