How the deaths of my wife and mother inspired my partnership with God – RMD

By Segun Adebayo

Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has opened up about how the deaths of his first wife and mother shaped his relationship with God and strengthened his faith.

The actor made this known during a recent interview with media personality Olive Emodi,which was monitored by Per Second News (PSN) where he reflected on personal losses, grief, family and his spiritual journey.

Speaking about losing his loved ones, RMD described bereavement as one of the most difficult experiences he has had to navigate, noting that the pain does not completely disappear with time.

“I have lost a wife, I have lost a mother. Loss is very difficult to deal with and the pain never goes away,” he said.

He explained that grief changes over time, depending on memories and experiences that bring back thoughts of the deceased.

“What happens is the pain transitions or morphs into different things. It depends on what recalls them and what the affinity is,” he said.

Recalling his relationship with his mother, the actor said he was her only child, a circumstance that made their bond particularly close.

“For my mother, for instance, I am an only child, so it gives you an idea of our closeness,” he said.

RMD also recalled how his mother’s influence shaped his appreciation of music, culture and the arts while growing up.

He described her as a woman who introduced him to cultural experiences and helped build his confidence, particularly during his childhood.

The actor’s first wife, May Ellen Ezekiel, died in 1996 following complications from a fibroid operation. He later married his present wife, Jumobi Adegbesan, in 2000.

RMD acknowledged that moving on after the death of his first wife was not easy, admitting that he never imagined he could overcome the pain.

He also recalled how the experience left him afraid of losing another loved one. However, he credited his present wife with providing the support and reassurance he needed to overcome that fear.

“I thank God for my wife today. She was my strength, because she made it clear that her fate and destiny were very different from that, and I should not have that fear,” he said.

He subsequently became deeply involved in church activities and served as a Sunday school teacher for about 17 to 18 years, describing the experience as an important part of his spiritual development.