Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has shared the deeply personal story of her struggle with childlessness, even as she approaches her 60s.
In an emotional podcast interview with Abiola Adebayo on “Talk-to-B,” the actress revealed the challenges she has faced over the years.
Born in Ibadan, Jayesimi explained that despite several attempts, she has not been able to have children.
She recalls her family’s refusal to support her plan to adopt when her desperation to become a mother grew. Her mother was particularly adamant, saying, “If you adopt any kid, I will feed them to death,” which she interpreted as a sign that her journey would be long and difficult.
Reflecting on her marriage, Jayesimi said, “I got married on October 22, 1988, and although we conceived before the wedding, I had a miscarriage shortly after, and that marked the beginning of our struggles.”
Over the years, she and her husband underwent numerous tests and medical procedures in their quest for a child. However, after five years, misunderstandings arose, and their relationship suffered, leading to a temporary separation.
Soon after moving out, Jayesimi discovered her husband had moved another woman into their home, who was pregnant. She turned to alcohol and spent years in emotional turmoil before finally finding the strength to move on.
“I decided I wouldn’t marry again, but my parents urged me to reconsider,” she shared. She later met an Alhaji who attempted to help her conceive, but even after two rounds of IVF, she remained childless. Eventually, at the age of 40, Jayesimi discovered she was pregnant but faced another heartbreak—an ectopic pregnancy that required surgery. Since then, she has not been able to conceive.
Jayesimi expressed that although she once struggled with overthinking her situation, she has now made peace with it.
She believes that God’s timing is perfect and that her experiences with men who made false promises only reinforced her faith in God’s plan. Despite the pain, Jayesimi says she has accepted her circumstances and now desires to find a child to raise.
Tearfully, she added, “I know God’s time is the best, and although I’ve been mocked by the children I helped raise, my acting career has been a blessing, helping me endure the pain.”
She ended by saying, “If I had listened to my mum earlier, I would have adopted a long time ago. I’m not angry with her, but I wish she would stay clear of me because I believe she contributed to my childlessness.”
