Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has opened up about a near-death experience she endured following the loss of her mother, shortly after the 2023 general elections.
In a candid interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the acclaimed movie star reflected on a particularly challenging period in her life — including the end of her marriage, her mother’s passing, and her defeat in the Lagos State gubernatorial election.
Addressing criticism over claims she neglected the late Esther, a cast member of Jenifa’s Diary, Funke explained that she was going through immense personal struggles at the time and was wrongly accused of being uncaring.
She also revealed that she is responsible for raising her children, whom she shares with her estranged husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz.
She said, “I do not like to mourn. I remember when my mom passed on, I just wanted to get out of it quickly. I like to get out of situations quickly. I do not allow myself to break down, and it affected me after my mom’s death. And I almost died.
“My heart was aching and something happened online. For the first time I took my phone, I went live on social media and I’m like, you all should leave me alone. Do I know this person? No, this person came to act in my movie, got paid, and left. Why are you accusing me of something I didn’t do wrong?
“Do you know what I’m going through? I lost my mum, my marriage fell apart, I lost in politics, I have to get back to work, I have to earn a living. I have children I’m raising alone and you are stressing me. So, for the first time, I cried. I broke down for weeks.”
