Biography Of Funke Akindele [Age, Net Worth, Husband, Family, Children, Profile & Movies]

Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde (popularly known as Funke Akindele /Jenifa) (born 24 August 1977) is a Nigerian-born actress and producer. Funke Akindele starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002, and in 2009, Funke won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. she rose to fame from her role in the movie titled “Jenifa which she earns her Nickname and the “OMO GHETTO” trilogy contributed a whole lot to her fame. Funke Akindele plays the lead character in the show Jenifa’s Diary, for which she was named Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Her movie ‘Omo Ghetto’ currently holds the record of becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time in Nigeria, breaking the four-year record of Kemi Adetiba’s movie titled ‘The Wedding Party’.

According to a statement, broadcast by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), in January 2021, the movie has grossed N468,036,300 after maintaining its number one spot for 3 consecutive weeks.

Early Life and Career

Funke Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. Funke Akindele is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Funke Akindele’s mother is a medical doctor while her father is a retired school principal. Funke Akindele obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.

Funke Akindele came into the limelight after starring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Funke Akindele played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele’s big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa.

In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Funke Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb. Mainstream Nigerian press reported that Jenifa was set to star in Infinity War as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb. Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, with Funke Akindele’s upload shown to have been a hack. In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and chair of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki has advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in Infinity War.

In July 2016, in an interview Funke Akindele stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy. Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show Jenifa’s Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke. The show is a spin-off from the movie Jenifa. The 2018 comedy film Moms at War stars Funke Akindele and Omoni Oboli. In July 2019, Funke Akindele started a new web series, Aiyetoro Town, a spinoff from her popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary. She is the CEO of Scene One Film Production.

She made her directorial debut in 2019 political drama film, Your Excellency.

Funke Akindele runs a nongovernmental organization known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.

Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Dettol. Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an ambassador to Irokotv. Also in 2018, Funke was signed as brand ambassador for Keystone Bank. In November 2019, Funke Akindele signed an endorsement deal with Waw Nigeria, a company that manufactures detergent and bar soaps.

In April 2020, Funke Akindele was arrested and charged in court for hosting a birthday party in honour of her husband during the period of an imposed lockdown (to tackle coronavirus). She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about coronavirus. The actress and her husband were sentenced to a 14-day community service after pleading guilty to violating the lockdown order.

Husband, Children and Family Life

On May 26, 2012, Funke Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. The couple divorced in July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. Funke Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016. Her pregnancy rumours were among the top searched results on Google search engine in August 2017. Funke Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.

Net Worth and Wealth

Funke Akindele’s net worth as of 2021 is estimated to be around $3.8 million – $12 million making her one of the richest Nollywood actress of her time.