KSA’s First Wife, Princess Bolakale Adegeye, on How She Met Him at 19 and the Secrets of Their Marriage
Princess (Mrs.) Bolakale Adeniyi Adegeye, born over 60 years ago into the prominent Awosika family of Ondo Town, is the first wife of the King of African Music and founder of M&C 106.5FM, King Ishola Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (King Sunny Ade). They have been married for over 47 years.
In a chat with Publisher Event Diary Lifestyle, Princess Adeola Shittu during King Sunny Ade’s 70th birthday celebration at his country home in Ondo, the respected businesswoman spoke on her marriage, life with the music icon, and family life.
Can you tell us about yourself?
Thank you. I am Mrs. Bolakale Adeniyi Adegeye, a native of Ondo from the Awosika family. I am the first wife of the Juju legend, King Sunny Ade, whose birthday we are celebrating today. I am a businesswoman based in Ondo Town.
As the first wife, how did you meet your husband and what attracted you to him?
I will say destiny brought us together. I met King Sunny Ade when I was 19 years old, and we were both young then, though he was older than me.
We met through his aunty, who told my aunty that she wanted me to marry her brother. After their discussion, my aunty informed me about their decision and plan. She told me her friend wanted me to marry her brother.
I didn’t know much about him then, but he was very popular. I did not object to my aunty’s decision because I believed she wanted the best for me. When we finally met, I liked him, and when he asked me to marry him, I agreed. Today, the rest is history.
I am alive to witness my husband’s 70th birthday, and this same year our marriage clocked 47 years. Our union is blessed with successful children and grandchildren.
What is the secret of your 47 years of marriage?
I can’t say there is a secret. I will attribute everything to God Almighty, who made it possible despite all odds. Marrying a celebrity like my husband is not easy; it requires endurance. But I thank God for where we are today and the journey so far. I pray we live long to celebrate many more years together.
How have you coped with the challenges of being married to a music icon?
Is there any institution without challenges? Our husband is a celebrity, and everyone wants to be with him. But I thank God for the wisdom He has given me to relate with all his wives.
If I wronged him, I would go on my knees to beg him and seek his pardon. And if he was wrong, he also had a way of begging us, his wives. He is an understanding person, and we are able to resolve our issues. With God, one can overcome challenges.
Did he start his music career before you met him?
I met my husband as a singer, a promising Juju artiste then. I married him for who he was, not because of his fame.
How did you cope with him not sleeping at home due to the demands of his job? Did you attend parties with him as a young couple?
Once you know the kind of person you married, you don’t need to follow him around. From when we got married, I never followed him to parties because I had no business there. My duty as a wife was to take care of the home front.
The only thing that worried me was when he didn’t return home on time and didn’t inform me. There were no mobile phones then, so I used to go and look for him to be sure nothing had gone wrong.
Many women are married to him because he is a music icon. Are you in that category?
No. As I said, it was his aunty who insisted I must marry him. At that time, I knew nothing about music or drums. I didn’t marry him because he was a celebrity. I accepted the request, and I believe destiny brought us together.
How do you feel when addressed as King Sunny Ade’s wife?
(Laughs), I am happy I married my brother. I don’t call him my husband; I call him Egbon mi (my brother). I thank God and his aunty who took that decision for me. He is a nice and understanding husband and the dream of all women. Is there any woman who wouldn’t be happy to be associated with such a successful man?
As the first wife, how did you feel when your husband brought in new wives?
King Sunny Ade’s empire is a home full of love and understanding. We are very accommodating. We don’t see ourselves as rivals; we see ourselves as blood sisters. We speak with one voice, no matter the distance.
We have never exchanged abusive words or fought. Some wives are based in Lagos, other states, and outside the country, while I am based in Ondo. But we are united.
How cordial is your relationship with the other wives?
Very cordial, thanks to our level of communication. I travel to Lagos to visit them, and they also come to Ondo when our husband is in town. For those far away, we talk on the phone.
We are not from the same ethnic group, but King Sunny Ade brought all of us together, so we understand and appreciate one another.
Do you have any regrets marrying King Sunny Ade?
God forbid. I have no regrets. If I am given the opportunity 100 times, I will marry Ishola Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye 100 times.
In one sentence, how will you describe your husband?
He is a charming, caring father and husband. He is very understanding and treats all of us equally. With him, there is no dull moment.