Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has spoken about her long-standing marriage to actor Olu Jacobs, shedding light on how their age difference influenced the strength and longevity of their relationship.
The actress made the remarks during a recent appearance on the television programme Your View, where she reflected on love, emotional growth, and the realities of marrying an older partner.
According to Silva, the age gap in her marriage came with notable benefits, particularly patience, stability, and a deeper level of understanding.
She explained that being with an older man often allows room for tolerance and emotional balance, adding that maturity helped her husband approach situations calmly and thoughtfully.
Silva suggested that this level of emotional intelligence played a major role in navigating challenges within their union.
Recounting how their relationship began, Silva said she first encountered Jacobs in a professional setting during a stage production in the early days of her acting career. At the time, she was unaware of his celebrity status, despite his reputation as one of the most respected figures in the industry.
“Yes, we met on stage,” she recalled, noting that while many around her recognised his stature, she did not initially see him as a star.
According to her, their first interaction was strictly work-related, with no immediate romantic undertones.
Silva revealed that although Jacobs was instantly drawn to her, her own feelings developed over time.
“For him, it was love at first sight, but for me, it wasn’t,” she said, explaining that her affection grew gradually as they spent more time together.
She added that she only became fully aware of Jacobs’ age after they had started dating, noting that his youthful appearance masked the age difference.
“He looked so good,” she said, explaining why the gap did not immediately register.
The couple eventually married in 1985, with Jacobs aged 44 and Silva 24 at the time. Their marriage, now approaching four decades, is blessed with two children and is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most enduring and admired unions.
Over the years, both actors have built distinguished careers, earning respect for their contributions to the Nigerian film industry while maintaining a largely private family life.
