Veteran actress Toyin Adewale has said marriage is not a do-or-die affair for her. She drew a clear line at domestic violence.
Speaking on Biola Bayo’s podcast, she said small misunderstandings are normal in marriage. She added that they are not enough reason to leave a home.
Adewale said leaving a marriage can be uncertain. She questioned whether life would improve or become worse elsewhere. She stressed that her decision to stay depends on safety.
She revealed she married in January 1993. She welcomed her son, singer Mayorkun, in March the same year. She described herself as calm and gentle at home.
She said:
“Marriage isn’t a do-or-die thing for me. I wouldn’t stay if he beats me. If there’s no violence and it’s just a minor misunderstanding, it’s normal. Why do I leave? Do I know what will happen where I am going? I got married with the determination of never leaving my marriage, provided there’s no violence.
“I got married in January 1993 and had Mayowa in March 1993. I have been married for 33 years. I am the gentle one”.
Adewale said she began her professional acting career in 1988. Her first paid role earned her N5,000. She also performed before the president. That moment brought her into the spotlight.
She added that she discovered her passion for acting early. She said she still enjoys it today.
“I just found myself in acting, and I enjoy doing it. I started acting in 1988. They paid me 5000 naira, I can’t forget. They gave us clothes, and we performed before the president. It was my first job that brought me to the limelight,” she added.
The actress also spoke about her family background. She said her father had four wives. Each wife had one child.
She added that she is the lastborn. She described her father as very strict. She said he planned for his death.
According to her, he even bought his burial clothes. He also prepared his grave in advance. She said he paid all church fees early. He did this so his children would not struggle after his death.
“My father had four wives, and each wife had one child. I am the lastborn. He was a disciplinarian, so he fixed a lot for us. He bought his grave cloth, did his grave and all.
He paid all the necessary dues to the churches and all and told them to sign so they wouldn’t stress us when he died”, she concluded.
