Veteran actress, Joke Silva, has spoken candidly about her marriage to renowned actor Olu Jacobs, revealing the story behind their union despite a 19-year age difference.
In a recent interview on the Stephen Akintayo Leadership podcast, 63 years old Silva shared how she met Jacobs while seeking guidance in her early acting days.
Silva recounted how Jacobs, already an established actor, encouraged her to pursue formal drama training instead of a university degree in Theatre Arts.
Her sister, Toyin Olawoye, endorsed Jacobs, telling Silva in 1984 that “Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy”.
Silva said “We got married in 1984. I was 24, so it was 1985. He was 19 or 20 years older than me. I accepted because I was in love with him. It is as simple as that. He was just a very gorgeous person.
“I remember one of my sisters, Toyin Olawoye, when she was home, I think it was 1984, and I had come back home. We met, and she called me aside and said, ‘Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy’.
“My dad had issues with the fact that he was older, but my mum was like this is the person they know me with. And her parents had that kind of age gap as well. So, it was no big deal.”
She stated that their love for each other was the foundation of their successful marriage. They tied the knot in 1985, with Silva being 24 years old and Jacobs being 43.
On why she kept her maiden name, Silva said her husband advised her to do so after marriage so as to protect her brand.
“He was the one who advised that I do not change my name because he understood the importance of branding. He said my brand had started building before we met, and changing the brand could cause problems for me.”
