Veteran Yoruba actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has opened up about her journey of childlessness despite her desire to become a mother.
Speaking on Saturday in a podcast interview with Abiola Adebayo’s
‘Talk-to-B,’ Jayesimi shared her struggles and the challenges she has faced over the years.
According to her, despite multiple attempts to conceive, she was unable to have a child, a situation she described as unfortunate.
The actress, originally from Ibadan, revealed that at one point, she considered adoption, but her mother and family strongly opposed the idea. She recalled her mother’s words: “If you adopt any child, I will starve them to death.” This, she said, made her realize the difficult path ahead.
Jayesimi recounted her marriage journey, saying, “I got married on October 22, 1988. At that time, I was already active in the film industry. I conceived before the wedding, but unfortunately, I suffered a miscarriage, which marked the beginning of our struggles.”
She explained that after years of trying, she and her husband underwent several medical tests and fertility treatments. However, as time passed, their relationship deteriorated. “After five years of marriage, my husband distanced himself from me. He even started using a pillow to divide the bed,” she revealed.
She further explained that her husband made several attempts to force her out of their home, and when she finally left, he moved another woman in just two weeks later. Heartbroken, she turned to alcohol and struggled with depression for years.
Later, under pressure from her family, she remarried. Her second husband, an Alhaji, supported her in trying to conceive. “I went through two rounds of IVF, but none worked. Then one day, I conceived naturally without knowing,” she said.
However, her joy was short-lived. One night, she experienced severe pain and was rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. “I cried endlessly. At that time, I was already 40 years old. I underwent surgery, and since then, I haven’t conceived again,” she shared.
As time went on, her second husband’s wife began to cause problems, leading her to leave the marriage.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Jayesimi said she has now learned to accept her reality. However, she expressed regret over not adopting a child earlier due to her family’s objections.
“There are many men who deceive women by promising them children just to sleep with them. It’s all lies,” she said, holding back tears.
Reflecting on her experiences, she stated, “I have done everything possible to conceive. Sadly, some of the children I helped raise now mock me for not having my own. Acting has been my saving grace—it has kept me going despite all the ridicule.”
She concluded by saying that her priority now is to have a child in her life, whether by adoption or other means, and she hopes her mother will no longer interfere in her decision.
