Veteran actress Joke Silva has shared the thoughtful reason behind her decision to keep her maiden name after marriage, attributing the advice to her husband, Olu Jacobs, which helped preserve her career.
Speaking on Stephen Akintayo’s Leadership podcast, Silva explained that Jacobs encouraged her to maintain her father’s name for professional branding purposes. At the time, she had already begun establishing herself in the entertainment industry, and Jacobs believed that changing her name could disrupt her rising profile.
“He (Jacobs) was the one who advised that I do not change my name. He understood the importance of branding and said my brand had started building before we met. Changing the name could cause problems for me. We kept the name Joke Silva as my brand, and within the industry, no one didn’t know I was Mrs Jacobs,” she stated.
Silva also discussed their relationship, including their 19-year age difference. She recalled meeting Jacobs while seeking guidance early in her career. As an accomplished actor, Jacobs encouraged her to pursue formal training in drama, and over time, their bond grew stronger.
Although her father initially expressed concerns about the age gap, Silva noted that her mother supported their union, as a similar age difference existed between her ownents. She praised her husband for his foresight and unwavering support, which helped her achieve a balance between her personal and professional life.
Silva ultimately married Jacobs in 1985 because she was deeply in love with him, describing him as a “gorgeous person.”
“I was 24 when 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.
“I remember one of my sisters, Toyin Olawoye, called me aside when she was home in 1984 and said, ‘Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.’ My dad had concerns about his age, but my mom was supportive, saying this was the person they saw me with. Her parents also had that kind of age gap, so it was no big deal,” she shared.