Veteran actress Joke Silva has credited her husband, Olu Jacobs, for advising her to retain her maiden name after marriage—an important decision she says helped preserve her career in the entertainment industry.
Speaking on Stephen Akintayo’s Leadership podcast, the 63-year-old explained that Olu understood the importance of branding early on and believed that changing her name could negatively impact the momentum she had already built.
“He (Olu) 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.”
Joke also reflected on their relationship and the challenges they faced due to their 19-year age difference.
She recalled meeting Olu while seeking direction early in her acting career. As an established actor, he not only encouraged her to pursue formal training in drama but also became a key source of support as their bond deepened over time.
Although her father initially had reservations about the age gap, Joke said her mother was more accepting of the relationship, noting that her own parents also had a similar difference in age.
“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.
Joke also remembered how her sister Toyin Olawoye encouraged her to introduce Jacobs to their father.
“I remember one of my sisters, when she was home, I think it was 1984, and I had come back home. We met, and she called me aside and said, ‘Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.’ That was Toyin Olawoye.”
She praised her husband’s foresight and unwavering support, noting that his guidance helped her balance both personal and professional life.
