Veteran actress Joke Silva has shared intimate details about her marriage to legendary actor Olu Jacobs, opening up about their 19-year age difference and the journey that led to their union.
Speaking on the Stephen Akintayo Leadership podcast, the 63-year-old Nollywood icon reflected on how she met her husband, who is now 82, during the early days of her acting career.
Silva said she first encountered Jacobs while seeking guidance as a young aspiring actress.
At the time, Jacobs was already an established figure in the film industry and encouraged her to pursue formal drama training over a traditional university degree in Theatre Arts.
Okay.ng reports that Silva revealed her sister, Toyin Olawoye, supported the relationship early on, telling her in 1984: “Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.”
She 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, 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.’ That was Toyin Olawoye.
“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.”
Silva, who began her acting journey in 1981 at the University of Lagos cultural centre, has since become one of the most respected figures in Nigerian entertainment, often praised for her grace, talent, and enduring partnership with Olu Jacobs.
Their marriage remains one of Nollywood’s most admired love stories, standing strong through decades of fame and personal challenges.
