This biography tells on everything you need to know about Funke Akindele (Jenifer), her net worth, early life, marriages, divorce, and career.
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| Photo: Funke Akindele (Jenifer) | Credit: @funkeakindele |
Introduction to Funke Akindele (Jenifer)
One can not call on popular Nigerian actress without including the name of Funke Akindele (Jenifer). She tops one of richet Nigerian actresses, whose name has come to limelight in the movie and entertainment Industry.
The 45-year-old Mother of two has proven over time that the hall of fame and popularity is not for the faint of heart. Many recognise her as her popular stage name - Jenifa.
Here is a snapshot to Funke Akindele (Jenifer) Profile
- Full name: Akindele Ayotunde Olufunke
- Nickname: Jenifa
- Date of Birth: 24th August, 1977
- Place of birth/State of origin: Ikorodu-Lagos State, South-West Nigeria
- Education: Moshood Abiola Polytechnic |University of Lagos
- Courses studied: Mass Communications (OND) |Bachelor of Law (LLB)
- Relationship Status: Divorced
- First ex-husband: Kehinde Oloyede
- Second ex-husband: Kehinde Oloyede (JJC SKillz)
- Children: Taiwo and Kehinde Bello (Twins)
- Occupation: Actress, Movie Producer, Director, Script writer, Politician
- Parents: Mr and Mrs Akindele
- Age: 45 Year as at Aug., 2022
- Political Party: People's Democratic Party, PDP.
Early Life, Family and Education of Funke Akindele:
As properly called, Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele was born to the family of Mr. and Dr. Banjo Akindele on August 24, 1977 in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, South-West Nigeria. She is the second child of her Parents.
Funke Akindele (Jenifer) attended Grace Children School, Gbagada, before moving on to get her OND from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
She further pursued a law degree from the prestigious University of Lagos, South-West Nigeria, where she earned his LLB degree.
Funke Akindele's acting career
Funke Akindele's journey to limelight started with her character in the United Nations-sponsored sitcom "I Need to Know", where she played the role of a curious secondary school teenager from 1998 to 2002. The sitcom was created to increase awareness of the issues that teenagers face during puberty stage.
The young Funke Akindele hit the centre stage of her career when she starred in her breakthrough comedy-drama, "Jenifa's Diary" (as a comedy reproduction of Jenifer movie) " - where she played the character of a local girl attempting to put on a fake appearance of being born with a silver spoon. The hilarious drama received accolades for highlighting the societal issues with false living. The comedy series movie also changed the face of Nollywood movies in Nigeria as some of the movie producers now adopt Funke Akindele's style.
Some of the Actors and Actresses into comedy series include: Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Toyin Abraham, among others.
The Actress made her debut as a director in 2019 with the movie "Your Excellency". Setting the bar higher, Funke Akindele co-produced another hit, "Omoghetto; The Saga." The movie became the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time after raking in more than N468 million at the box office in one month, that is according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN).
As a filmmaker, producer, and director, in 2021, Funke Akindele made a shocking N468,036,300 from her blockbuster movie "Omoghetto: The Saga," thus becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time in Nigeria, breaking the four-year record of Kemi Adetiba's movie titled 'The Wedding Party - a movie that featured popular names in the Nollywood industry like Sola Sobowale.
As at last year December, 2022, Funke Akindele released her directed and produced movie titled - Battle on Buka Street in December. According to reports, the movie has raked in $60,000 (N27m) in gross profits in the United States of America (USA). The movie was distributed by FillmOne and Part Two Media in the United States with support from Amplify Africa.
According to box office reports, Battle on Buka Street had raked in a whopping sum N135m in Nigeria and West African Cinemas.
Due to her outstanding career, She recently bagged an invitation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to join the 2022 membership of Oscar organisers.
She is also a three-time winner of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (2014, 2017, and 2020)
Funke Akindele's net worth
According to online report, She is the third richest actress in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of about $7.6 Million.
Funke Akindele's Political Career
The Nigerian star actress was nominated as the Lagos State deputy governorship candidate together with Dr Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor), under the platform of the People's Democratic Party, PDP in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Lagos State.
This Video shows the unveiling of Funke Akindele as PDP deputy governorship Candidate in Lagos State | Credit: Channels TV
With his nomination which came sudden to all Nigerians, Funke Akindele will be joining top actors and actresses who ventured into Politics. Some of them include: Desmond Elliot and Banky W.
Social Media
Funke Akindele has One Million, Four hundred thousand followers (1.4M) on Instagram as at March, 2023.
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| Screenshot of Funke Akindele's IG Account| Credit: @funkeakindele |
You can follow her on Instagram via @funkeakindele.
Read: Live governorship Election in Lagos