The saying that marriage is not a bed of roses come to play in the lives of many celebrities.
While some celebrities have decided to stay single due to experiences, others have decided to prove beyond reasonable doubt that it is a union worth fighting for.
In the case of Nollywood veterans, Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, their union has always been one many people look up to.
In a heartfelt interview with Nancy Isime, a Nollywood actress and media personality, Joke Silva opened up about the marital struggle she and her husband have been facing as he battles with dementia.
Joke Silva expressed her admiration for her husband, describing him as an exceptional father and an extraordinary husband who consistently fulfilled his responsibilities with unwavering dedication.
Reflecting on their early years, she fondly recalled how Jacobs was not just her best friend but also her everything in their marriage. However, the advancement of his illness has brought about profound changes to their relationship.
Silva said,
“It has not been easy… There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality and it is like the person I married, 80 percent of the time is no longer there.”
“But the thing is this when he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband, he was practically my best friend.”
Despite the difficulties presented by Jacobs’ dementia, Silva’s affection for him remains profound. She acknowledged that the love and affection they once shared may not be as prominent anymore, but she emphasized her enduring love for him.
“The husband I knew is no more and there for me, but this man that is here is someone I still love.”
Having been married for 37 years, with a total of 42 years knowing each other, including five years of dating before tying the knot, Silva acknowledged the initial difficulties they faced as they navigated through the early stages of their marriage.
In time, she embraced the truth of their circumstances and now perceives herself as a caregiver for her husband, adopting a role more akin to that of a daughter caring for her father rather than a conventional husband-wife dynamic.
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