By Bisola Bello
Nollywood has a staggering divorce statistics.
From household names to up-and-comers, a number of Nigerian actresses have had to kiss their marriages goodbye.
Some lasted for a while, while others crashed even before the honeymoon was over.
We look at 10 Nollywood actresses who are divorced.
Ini Edo
University of Calabar Theatre Art Graduate, Ini Edo, separated from America-based businessman, Phillips Ehiagwina, in 2014. The Marriage, which was contracted in November 2008, hopped on one leg for a while before the actress finally asked for divorce. Unconfirmed report had it that the family of the Married to the Enemy actress returned the bride price paid for her.
Monalisa Chinda
Monalisa Chinda’s marriage to Segun Dejo-Richards crashed in 2009. She disclosed this through a statement by her lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo. Official reason for the divorce is incompatibility and irreconcilable differences. The 40-year-old Pregnant Virgin actress has a daughter, Tarmar, from the union.
Funke Akindele
Jenifa star, Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, got married to Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede on May 26, 2012. Fourteen months later, precisely on Monday July 15, 2013, Kehinde told his Facebook friends the marriage was over, claiming it was a great mistake. After initial denial, Funke finally confirmed the split on Friday July 19, 2013 through a message by her publicists.
Fathia Balogun
Fathia got married to fellow actor, Saidi Balogun, in September 2000 at the Ikorodu marriage registry. Beyond acting, the two also have their birth date of February 5 in common. The marriage produced a boy, Khalid and a girl named Aliyah. Few years into their union, the once happy couple started having problems when allegations and counter allegations of infidelity started flying around. The crisis climaxed when Saidi filed for divorce on April 12, 2013 in a suit No HD/132/13. A decree absolute was issued by the High Court of Lagos State on January 17, 2014. Fathia has vowed to keep her ex-husband’s surname.
Ayo Adesanya
Actress, director and producer, Ayo Adesanya, left Goriola Hassan after 10 years together, claiming irreconcilable differences. The couple finalised their divorce in 2008. Forty-six-year-old Ms Adesanya recently celebrated 20 years as a professional actress.
Mbong Amata
Most Beautiful Girl in Akwa Ibom 2003, Mbong Amata, ended her marriage with movie director, Jeta Amata, in 2013. Mbong met Jeta when she was 16-year-old during a movie audition in Calabar. They started dating officially two years later. The couple got married in 2008 and welcomed their daughter, Veno, later that year. The marriage reportedly crashed following Mbong Amata’s insistence on following her career dream. Both have handled the matter in a very civil manner.
Chika Ike
Chika Ike got married to Mr Ebirebe in 2006 and filed for divorce in 2013. The actress does not take joy in discussing that chapter of her life.
Kate Henshaw
Nollywood darling, Kate Henshaw, and Roderick James Nuttal called it quits after 12 years of marriage. Several reasons were given for the break up including the usual tales of infidelity.
Doris Simeon
Doris Simeon got married to filmmaker, Daniel Ademinokan, after they met on a movie set in 2006. The two welcomed their only son, David, on April 4, 2008. Their marriage ended in 2010, but the man is currently in a relationship with another actress and divorcee, Stella Damasus
Stella Damasus
Stella Damasus has seen and done it all. A widow and divorcee, she is currently in a relationship some consider inappropriate. Her first marriage ended with the death of husband, Jaiye Aboderin, on December 3, 2004. She got married to Emeka Nzeribe some years later but that lasted barely nine months. The couple separated in 2010 over allegations of incompatibility, infidelity and disrespect to marital vows. Daniel Ademinokan is the current man in her life.
