Nollywood actress Joke Silva has bravely shared the challenges she and her husband, Olu Jacobs, are currently facing due to his battle with dementia.
During a candid interview with media personality and actress Nancy Isime, Silva opened up about the impact of the illness on their marital life.
Silva spoke fondly of her husband, describing him as an exceptional father and a remarkable husband who always fulfilled his responsibilities with unwavering dedication.
Reflecting on their early years together, she emphasized the deep bond they shared, with Jacobs not only being her best friend but also the pillar of their marriage. However, as his condition has progressed, it has brought significant changes to their relationship.
Despite the difficulties posed by Jacobs’ dementia, Silva’s love and affection for him remain steadfast. She acknowledges that the dynamics of their relationship have changed due to his condition, but she emphasizes that her love for him endures.
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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.”
“The husband I knew is no more and there for me, but this man that is here is someone I still love,” Silva said
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.
She ultimately came to accept the reality of their situation and now sees herself as caring for her father rather than in a conventional husband-wife relationship.