“He (Jacobs) was the one who advised that I do not change my name,” she explained. “Because he understood the importance of branding, he said my brand had started building before we met, and changing the brand could cause problems for me. We kept the name Joke Silva as the brand, and within the circle, there was nobody who did not know I was Mrs. Jacobs.”
Silva also spoke about their relationship, including their 19-year age difference.She recalled meeting Jacobs while seeking guidance early in her career, saying that as an accomplished actor, Jacobs encouraged her to pursue formal training in drama, and that over time, their bond grew stronger.Though her father initially raised concerns about the age gap, Silva said her mother supported their union, citing a similar difference between her own parents.
The actress praised her husband for his foresight and unwavering support, which she said helped her strike a balance between personal and professional life.Silva ultimately married Jacobs in 1985 because she was deeply in love with him, describing him as a “gorgeous person.”“I was 24, we got married in 1985. He was 19 or 20 years older than me. (I accepted because) I was in love with him. It is as simple as that. He was just a very gorgeous person.
“I remember one of my sisters, when she was home, I think it was 1984, and I had come back home. We met, and she called me aside and said, ‘Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.’ That was Toyin Olawoye.
“My dad had issues with the fact that he was older, but my mum was like. This is the person they know me with. And her parents had that kind of age gap as well. So it was no big deal”, she said.
