Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has opened up about the deep personal losses that have marked his life, revealing that he has buried three wives over the years, with one of them dying during childbirth. In a recent interview with Biola Bayo, the industry pioneer also shared his strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while reflecting on his health battles, career journey, and the importance of treating children equally.
Speaking candidly about his family, Kosoko disclosed the painful reality of his marital history.
“I lost my wife through childbirth; that’s Bidemi’s mother. I have lost three wives,” he stated.
The actor, who has previously clarified that he never had four wives at the same time but experienced successive losses after marrying in stages, used the moment to urge parents to show fairness at home.
“Treat your children equally; let them know they’re equal in your mind,” he advised.
Kosoko also touched on his long-standing health challenges, noting that he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1996 and has since become highly knowledgeable about managing his condition.
“I became diabetic in 1996; I understand my health better than some doctors do,” he explained.
Turning to his professional roots, the veteran recalled beginning theatre work at the age of 10 in 1964 and forming his own group in 1972. He proudly described himself as one of the pioneers of the industry and commented on how social media, once a source of fear, is now both a tool and a platform that some misuse.
In the same conversation, Kosoko defended President Tinubu’s administration amid ongoing public complaints about hardship. He argued that conditions are not as dire as some portray them and questioned what critics were eating before the current government took office.
“Things aren’t as bad as people make it to seem. I am hungry; check most of those people. Before Tinubu came, what were they eating? Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying things are rosy; there are too many issues at hand which Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now fixing,” he said.
Kosoko called on beneficiaries of government initiatives, particularly students, to speak up and insisted that opponents privately recognize progress but allow ambition to cloud their judgment.
“Tinubu’s opponents know the truth: the man is on the right track, but ambition has clouded their judgment. I give it to the youths; they own it. I wish our youths would continue to remember they are Africans. They copy most of the things they do.”
The revelations form part of a broader discussion in which the actor looked back on earlier losses, including the death of his wife Henrietta from diabetes-related complications and the 1993 passing of his first wife, Alhaja Sherifat Abimbola Kosoko. He has marked those anniversaries in past years with emotional tributes, describing the women as sources of love, strength, and balance in his home. Kosoko continues to work in Nollywood while maintaining his place as a respected elder in both the industry and his royal family.