How My Mother’s Death Crashed My Marriage – Jim Iyke

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has recounted how delayed grief led to the crash of his marriage.

Naija News reports that the movie star, during an interview with media personality, Toke Makinwa, blamed his inability to grieve for his late mother properly.

Iyke said his mother held an extraordinary place in his heart, and the heart-wrenching news of her demise, received during a BBC interview, left him utterly shattered.

He said he had to step into the role of the strong male figure in his family, being the only male child, and while others in his family mourned openly, he tried to hold back the pain because of the African culture of men holding back their pain.

The actor said it was after the conclusion of the burial ceremonies that he began to confront his own emotions, which had already done havoc on his marriage.

Jim Iyke said his wife attempted to provide emotional support and love for him during the challenging period but could not reciprocate her affection.

Instead, he admitted that he transferred the bulk of his affection to their child, which created tension in his marriage.

In an attempt to address the emotional turbulence he was experiencing, Jim Iyke said his wife suggested therapy as a potential solution, but he hesitated, clinging to a traditional belief that therapy was not suitable for an African man like him.

The thespian also revealed that he will get married again, adding that anybody coming into his space now must come correctly as it would be on his terms.