Actress and fitness enthusiast, Kate Henshaw is among the elite group of actresses who have significantly contributed to the Nollywood’s enduring reputation for creative excellence.
Born on July 19, 1971, and raised in Calabar Cross River Nigeria, Kate is the oldest of four children. She had her primary and secondary education in Lagos and Calabar respectively. She moved on to the University of Calabar where she spent one-year reading remedial studies. She then joined the School of Medical Lab Science, LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) in Lagos to study Medical Microbiology. She had to work at the Bauchi State General Hospital.
She started out her career in the Entertainment industry in 1993 when she auditioned for the lead role in the movie When the Sun Sets. Her talent won her the role, which became her first appearance in a major Nollywood movie. Although her success wasn’t immediate, it was from there that she created the actress she became and later evolved into a superstar. She has appeared in many movies numbering up to 45 including “Aremu The Principal” and “Above The Death”.
The increased exposure, acceptance and recognition allowed Kate to witness massive growth in her career. As a result, she won distinctive awards including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the movie “Stronger than Pain” in 2008. In addition to her film award, the star has had considerable success as a reality TV show judge. She is a judge on Nigeria’s Got Talent and is “The Face of Onga”.
Kate Henshaw had one of the longest celebrity marriages in Nigeria. She was married to Roderick James Nuttal. The couple was together for 12 years but the union shattered in 2011. The actress has a daughter, Gabrielle Nuttall with her ex-husband. Roderick Nuttal is the Managing Director of Ledrop Nigeria Ltd. The company is an agency for Jack Daniels and Piper Heidsieck Champagne. He has moved on with his life after their divorce and has remarried.
During her break up with her British husband, Kate was not in a hurry to share what went wrong. Some reports claimed that it was due to different cases of infidelity on Roderick’s part. According to the speculations, Rod was making out with his secretary Angela Gordon. Kate who was already suspecting that her ex-husband was cheating unexpectedly came to his office – after she had earlier told him that she was going to Lekki – and caught them red-handed.
Other reports, however, claimed the divorce was as a result of several cases of infidelity against Kate by her husband. Rod had accused Kate of having an affair with some famous people in both political and entertainment circles.
Some of the men who were pointed at for having an affair with the stunning actress included the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and comedian, Bright Okpocha popularly known as Basketmouth (one of the funniest Nigerian comedians).
The talented actress has many goals and dreams so, there was simply not enough time to throw a pity party for herself. One of such goals is to be fit and sexy as she is among celebrity single moms looking hotter than some single ladies. The presence or absence of a husband does not affect what kind of person she is and her ambition. This, to Kate Henshaw, was just a circumstance and not what determines who she is or will become.