“I Was in Love, That Was Enough” — Joke Silva Opens Up About Her Marriage Journey
Joke Silva has always carried herself with grace and honesty, and in a recent chat on the Stephen Akintayo Leadership podcast, the celebrated actress opened up about something deeply personal — how her father initially resisted her marriage to veteran actor Olu Jacobs.
Their love story goes way back. Joke met Olu during the early days of her acting career when she was still trying to find her footing. She admired his work, and her sister — clearly seeing something special — encouraged her with the words, “Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.”
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. At the time, Joke was in her mid-20s, and Olu was nearly two decades older. That difference raised eyebrows — especially from her father. Her mother, however, didn’t bat an eye. Having experienced a similar age gap in her own marriage, she offered her full support.
Despite the initial resistance, love led the way. Olu, already an established actor, saw Joke’s potential and encouraged her to pursue formal training in drama rather than go the traditional academic route. It was a turning point — both professionally and personally.
Reflecting on that period, Joke shared, “We got married in 1985. I was 24, and yes, he was almost 20 years older. But I loved him — that was it. He was charming, kind, and completely sure of who he was.”
Another thoughtful gesture? Olu advised her to keep her maiden name professionally. He understood the value of her growing brand and didn’t want her to lose that momentum. “He told me, ‘Your name is already a name in the industry. Changing it could make things harder for you,’” she recalled.
And so, Joke Silva remained her stage name, while in their private world, she was very much Mrs. Jacobs. “Everyone knew who I was — no confusion there,” she added with a smile.
A love story built on mutual respect, personal growth, and unwavering support — theirs is one that continues to inspire.
