Media personality, Toke Makinwa, has revealed that remaining in her former marriage could have cost her life, citing the emotional toll and intensity of the relationship as overwhelming and dangerous.
In a deeply personal interview with Chude Jideonwo, Makinwa opened up about the hidden struggles behind her highly publicized relationship, explaining that what many perceived on the outside was far from the reality she lived.
“Could I have stayed if it wasn’t so public? Maybe, maybe. But the way I loved this person, he was going to kill me if I stayed. How I felt was going to become my entire life,” she said, emphasizing that leaving was not just a choice—it was a matter of survival.
The media personality explained that people often misunderstand strength, assuming that just because someone made it out alive, the experience must not have been too difficult. She pointed out how society can be dismissive of someone’s pain when it isn’t outwardly visible or tragic enough.
“People almost find a way to say it must not have been that bad. Because you didn’t die. And people love those sorts of stories… But if (Chude—an instance) bounces back ten times harder than he used to be, people almost envy your strength. Instead of accepting the fact that, oh, I can learn a thing or two from this, it threatens their peace of mind. … Until you survive what I’ve walked in, don’t comment on it,” she stated.
Makinwa’s reflections offer a sobering insight into the emotional dangers that can exist in relationships—especially when compounded by public pressure and scrutiny. Her words highlight the life-threatening emotional weight some people carry behind closed doors, and the courage it takes to walk away.
