Actor and broadcaster Patrick Doyle has paid tribute to his first wife Rosamond Doyle who died of sickle cell anaemia in 1999.
The 62-year-old praised the woman with “the broadest smile and firmest handshake ever” in a gratitude post on Facebook on Friday.
“Inspired by divine guidance and with a truly grateful heart, I wish to publicly thank the All Mighty for bringing this angel across my path. Her name was Rosamond Ndidi Doyle, the mother of 3 of my sons,” the Man of God actor began his tribute.
Mr Doyle went on to describe his late wife’s personality and the devastation of losing her at a young age.
“She was a most loving and dutiful wife and mother with the broadest smile and firmest handshake ever. Losing her to sickle cell anaemia at a relatively early age was devastating, but her memory lingers in our 2 surviving sons who have been the bedrock of my peace all these many years. Rosamond, my most enduring love, rest on,” he wrote.
Doyle’s son Raymond died in 2009, 10 years after his mother.
Rita Dominic and Fidelis Anosike deserve to be happy – Patrick Doyle
The actor married Ireti Doyle in 2004 but the couple separated in 2017, with the actress confirming in January 2023 that they were divorced.
Doyle unveiled his third wife Oluwafunmilayo in a Facebook post on March 20 to celebrate Mother’s Day.
He listed his late mother Angela Doyle, late elder sisters Victoria Doyle and Ayodeji Alakija and late wife Rosamond Doyle as four women who have been mothers to him.
Adding his new wife to the list, he wrote “I have never been happier in all my life. Please join me in thanking God for my new mother, friend & partner for life Oluwafunmilayo.”
He did not include Ireti Doyle on the list of women who have played maternal roles in his life.
Doyle, however, spoke glowingly of the actress in a reconciliatory message he posted on March 3, 2019, the day she clocked her 52.
“She has with the greatest sense of responsibility been the rock of our family. Without a doubt, she is the most generous woman I know, a dependable friend, a loyal ally and the most loving and sensual woman ever,” he wrote.
