Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has opened up about her long-standing marriage to legendary actor Olu Jacobs, sharing rare insights into how age, growth, and mutual understanding have sustained their union for nearly four decades.
A romance that started in the theatre
Speaking during a recent appearance on Your View, Silva recounted how she first met Jacobs in the early stages of their careers. She explained that their introduction happened in a professional environment, well before any romantic feelings developed.
“Yes, we met on stage,” she said, noting that at the time, she was unaware of his celebrity status. “Everybody knew it was the great Olu Jacobs who was coming except me.”
Feelings that grew over time
Although Jacobs was reportedly captivated from the beginning, Silva admitted that her affection developed gradually.
“For him, it was love at first sight, but for me, it wasn’t,” she revealed.
She further shared that she only discovered his real age after they had started dating, explaining that his youthful looks made the age difference less noticeable.
“He looked so good,” she said, highlighting why the gap did not initially stand out.
Building a lasting marriage
Reflecting on their 20-year age difference, Silva observed that being married to an older partner brought certain unexpected benefits.
“These older men allow you to get away with a lot of things,” she said, pointing to patience and emotional maturity as important factors that strengthened their bond.
Jacobs was 44 when he married Silva, then 24, in 1985. Their marriage, which has produced two children, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most enduring and respected relationships.