For many Nigerians, Idowu Philips, fondly known as Mama Rainbow, is a symbol of strength and grace.
But behind her radiant smile and decades-long career in Nollywood lies a story of heartbreak, sacrifice, and unshakable resolve.
In a recent chat with actress Bimpe Akintunde, the 83-year-old opened up about the reason she vowed never to remarry after her husband’s death.
According to Mama Rainbow, who recently celebrated her birthday, her decision was shaped by one painful encounter that changed her view of love forever.
She recalled:
A man wanted to marry me when my husband died, but he ran away when he saw 11 kids with me.
He came to my house, saw the children eating with me, and when I told him they were all mine, he left and never came back.
That single moment, she said, made her realise that her children would be her lifelong responsibility.
Mama Rainbow, who lost her husband in 1984, took on the role of both mother and father to her children. Despite the financial struggles that followed, she remained determined to raise them well.
She stated “I told myself that if that man could walk away after seeing the reality of my life, then marriage wasn’t for me anymore,” she said.
The veteran actress explained that she chose to focus on her children and career, trusting that God would see her through.
Her resilience paid off, all her children grew into successful adults, and she continued to rise in the entertainment industry.
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