They were initially separated for many years.
But they reconciled in 2018.
Before 2018, they were together for 12 years.
For Nollywood actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, his union with estranged wife, Bunmi, a resident of Atlanta in the USA, had not been a smooth ride.
In an interview he granted Genevieve magazine in 2017, Ninalowo, who had become highly sought after in the movie industry, disclosed how he took his wife to United States of America and married her on paper hoping that he will officially marry her sometime later but things didn’t go according to plans.
He said in 2017, “I am separated from the mother of my kids. I have an 11-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy from her and they live in Atlanta.
“We met here in Nigeria, when I visited 12 years ago. I took her, with me, to the States and filed for her (married her on paper) with the hope to someday get married officially, but things took the wrong turn. So, for now I am married to my hustle.”
His early marriage to Bunmi would have lasted but the wife was said to have deserted him when he started having challenges after he didn’t fare well in his music career. It was after he could not cope with life in the US as a failed music artiste that he returned to Nigeria and joined Nollywood.
That was a goldmine for him and he became a star.
Their first reconciliation in 2018 was said to have been an intervention from family and friends who advised that he stick to his wife and not have kids from too many women.
Things became rosy between the two and they inundated Instagram with their photos especially those ones used for other brand marketing.
Reacting to the post which sparked off speculation of his first reconciliation with his wife in 2018, Ninalowo wrote; “Thank you for hanging on. So sorry for everything. I only knew that if God be for me, then the end will surely justify the means. Mabinu aya mi”.
Bunmi also shared a throwback photo of both of them and captioned it, “Throwback to when i was just 23 and he was 24 Heck we thot we knew it all and no one could tell us a damn thing. Omobolanle”.
But on September 1, 2023, the actor took to Instagram and announced another sepration.
This time, it seems the end has come for the marriage.
Bolanle wrote,
“Finally I accept the reality of the End to a Road!
A sad reality that gives room & hope for a brighter and more fulfilling future!
A reality that is SAD for my loving and adorable children but necessary for a peaceful and loveable future.
A sad reality i prayed, nutured and worked tirelessly hard never to experience for the sake of all.
A sad reality i now have to accept as i realize that my kids are much grown with better sense of understanding and knowledge of my pain & struggles regarding them!
A sad reality that screams that i wont live or be around forever and must take care of my health & mental state for the goodness of all.
May God help me and reward me with all i truly deserve or punish me for all i have done wrong if that be the case.
In the end we will all live with the consequences of our actions.
Sad but real and true!
Now i have to do and be better for the sake of the same children i fought so hard never to be seperated from.
The journey thus far only makes me stronger as i come to terms with what i truly need and deserve for all my relentless hard work & efforts in life.
Heart broken but not shattered yet i stand tall as i break this sad but true news to the same world who adores my beautiful family & I.
My wife & I have decided to go our separate ways and headed for an irreconcilable marriage dissolution.
Please respect our privacy and pray for us during this process as we heal and move on with our independent lives while jointly taking care of what we love most, Our children! God bless all” (sic)
