Full Biography And Net Worth Of Funke Akindele
This article is about the biography of Funke Akindele. Funke is a Nigerian actress and entertainer popular for her role in the series “Jenifa”. She has been on the screen for a long time and has won the hearts of Nigerians.
Birth and early childhood
The biography of Funke Akindele begins from her birth and early life. She was born Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde on the 24th of August 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria. Her mom is a medical doctor and her dad is a retired school principal.
Related: Biography and net worth of Burna Boy
Together, they gave birth to three children of which Funke is the 2nd. Funke attended Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, which was formerly Ogun State Polytechnic. She bagged her Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication there. She also attended the University of Lagos, from which she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Law.
Marriage and personal life
On the 26th of May 2012, Funke Akindele got married to Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. The marriage lasted barely one year, and they got a divorce in July 2013. The reason given for the divorce stated irreconcilable differences.
In May 2016, she got married again, this time to JJC Skillz, a Nigerian rapper. They wedded in London. In December 2018, their marriage was blessed with twin boys.
Net worth
You will agree with me that the biography of Funke Akindele has to contain her net worth. Funke is estimated to be worth about $2 million making her one of the most influential and richest actresses in Nollywood. The source of her wealth is from her career as an actress and also as a brand ambassador to several brands and companies.
Related: Biography and net worth of Tiwa Savage
Career
Funke Akindele came to the limelight, following her role in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know. She started as a young girl, Bisi, an intelligent and curious Secondary Schoolgirl. The sitcom ran from 1998 to 2002.
Another big break for Funke came with her role in the movie “Jenifa” in the year 2008.
Currently, Funke plays the lead role in her ongoing TV show, Jenifa diaries. She plays a naive village girl who came to Lagos town to make a name for herself and her adventures in Lagos. Funke acts alongside Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Lots Chukwu. The show is actually a spin-off from the movie “Jenifa”.
In 2018, she acted alongside Michelle Dede and Omoni Oboli, in the movie, Moms at war. It is a comedy film that shows two mothers, who happen to be next-door neighbors, yet hated themselves. In July 2019, Funke Akindele began a new web series titled Aiyetoro town. This was a spinoff from her popular TV series Jenifa’s diary.
Funke Akindele is currently the CEO of Scene one Film productions. They have produced her TV series and some others. Funke took a hiatus from Yoruba movies, due to the high rate of piracy in the industry.
Related: Biography and net worth Toke Makinwa
In 2019, Funke had a debut as a movie director, with the movie Your Excellency. It is a political drama movie, featuring Shaffy Bello, Toni Tones, Seyi Law, Alex Ekubo, and much more.
Philanthropy
Funke Akindele is known to give back to society. She has a heart for the people. She operates a Non-government organization widely known as the Jenifa foundation. They specialize in providing vocational skills to young people. She believes in not just giving people fish, but teaching them how to fish too.
Endorsement deals
Aunty Funke as she’s fondly called by young people in the industry is a recipient of several endorsement deals. Dettol signed her as an ambassador. She is also signed as an ambassador to IrokoTv.
In 2018, she was signed by Keystone Bank, as a brand ambassador. Waw Nigeria, a company responsible for manufacturing detergent and bar soaps signed Funke as their brand ambassador. This happened in November 2019.
Movies
Funke was a popular Nollywood Yoruba actress. She featured in a lot of Yoruba movies back in the day, before the issues with piracy forced her to leave.
Some movies she participated in includes Apaadi, Emi Abata, Love Wahala, Ladies Gang, Anointed Liars, Bolode O’ku, Farayola, Ija Ola, Aje Metta, Apoti Orogun, Atanpako Meta, Kakaki ‘leku, Omo Pupa, Taiwo Taiwo, Akandun, Baye se Nlo, Edunjobi, Egun, Maku, Oba Irawo, Okun Ife Yi, Agbefo, Kòséfowórà, Odun Baku, Oreke Mulero, Osuwon Edaf and much more.
Related: Biography and net worth Ibukun Awosika
Funke has also started in other movies some of which include My siblings and I, Jenifa, Jenifa’s Diary, Your Excellency, Maami, Industreet, A Trip to Jamaica, Return of Jenifa, Isoken, Moms at War, Chief Daddy, Omo Ghetto, Married but Living Single.
She has made her mark in the world of film and has dropped jaws with her versatility. It is impossible to stereotype her, as she can play classy, a socialite in one movie and a tour in the next movie. Her acting is flawless and very beautiful to watch.
Awards and nominations
The biography of Funke Akindele has to entail the awards and nominations she has won.
In 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award, Best Actress Leading Role. The movie Jenifa also won the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Actress.
In 2010, she was nominated for Best of Nollywood Awards, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Yoruba) for her role in the movie Oguni Aiku.
2012 saw her winning Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress for her role in the movie Troj.
She won Nollywood Movies Awards Best Actress (Indigenous) for her role in the movie Emi Abata. Funke was nominated for Best of Nollywood Awards, Best Actress (English) for her role in Married but Living Single and also Zulu African Film Academy Awards, Best Actress, for Maami and The Return of Jenifa.
In 2013, she was nominated for the Nollywood Movies Award for Best Actress (Leading Role), and won the Best Actress (Indigenous) prize for her role in Maami.
Related: The best way to save in Nigeria
In 2014, she won Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Actress (comedy) for the movie The Return of Sheri Koko and ELOY Awards Brand Ambassador of the Year for her role as brand ambassador to Omo.
In 2016, she won African Magic’s Viewers Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy role, she was nominated for Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best Actress Series all for the series, Jenifa’s Diary.
Naija FM Awards also awarded her as Best Actress in Comedy and awarded Jenifa’s Diary, Sitcom of The Year. Africa Entertainment Legend Awards gave her the Best Actress of the Year prize and Ghana Movies Awards gave her Best Actress Africa Collaboration, for her role in a Trip to Jamaica.
In 2017, her TV series Jenifa’s Diary won Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best TV series and was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series. She also won Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Lead Actress, for her role in A Trip to Jamaica.
Related: Biography and net worth of RMD
In 2020, Funke won Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Actress in a comedy for her role in Moms At War.
Conclusion
Besides talent, hard work is needed to get to where you want in life. The biography of Funke Akindele spells hard work and not resting on laurels. Funke has worked hard to get to where she is. Dirt has been thrown at her too but as Maya Angelou wrote, she rose above it and is still rising.
