Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has shared why she kept her maiden name after marriage, saying it was her husband, Olu Jacobs, who gave her the advice.
She made this known during an interview on the *Leadership Podcast* with Stephen Akintayo.
Silva explained that Jacobs, also a respected actor, encouraged her to keep her name for professional reasons. At the time, she had already started gaining recognition in the entertainment industry.
“He was the one who advised that I do not change my name,” she said.
“Because he understood the importance of branding, he said my brand had started building before we met, and changing the brand could cause problems for me. We kept the name Joke Silva as the brand, and within the circle, there was nobody who did not know I was Mrs Jacobs.”
Silva also spoke about their love story and how she met Jacobs when she was just starting out in her career. She said Jacobs guided her and even encouraged her to get proper training in drama.
The couple got married in 1985, despite their 19-year age difference.
“I was 24, we got married in 1985. He was 19 or 20 years older than me. I accepted because I was in love with him. It is as simple as that. He was just a very gorgeous person,” she said.
Silva added that while her father was worried about the age gap, her mother supported the relationship because she had the same kind of age difference with her own husband.
“I remember one of my sisters, Toyin Olawoye. She came home in 1984 and met him. She called me aside and said, ‘Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.’”
Silva praised Olu Jacobs for his love, wisdom, and support over the years, saying it helped her manage both her personal life and career.
The couple, who have been together for decades, are seen as one of Nollywood’s most respected and admired pairs.
