Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu has opened up about the painful experiences she endured in her marriage, revealing in an emotional interview why she still went ahead to marry her late husband despite clear signs of abuse before the wedding. The actress, known for her resilience and honesty, recounted her story during a heartfelt conversation with fellow actress Ayo Adesanya, shedding light on the struggles many women face in toxic relationships.
Nwosu disclosed that she had already made up her mind to cancel the marriage after enduring physical violence during their courtship. However, she said her elder sister convinced her otherwise, urging her to stay patient and assuring her that the man would change after marriage. “I wanted to walk away, but my sister kept telling me to be patient. She said men change once you marry them,” the actress recalled sadly.
The actress revealed that even before they tied the knot, her husband had displayed troubling signs of aggression. Those early red flags, she said, almost pushed her to call off the wedding completely. However, societal pressure and family persuasion made her believe things would get better, a decision she now deeply regrets. “I saw all the signs,” she admitted. “He was already violent, but I was told marriage would calm him down.”
“He broke the kitchen door and dragged me by the hair” — Nwosu recalls shocking moment
Recounting one of the most terrifying incidents, the actress described how a violent confrontation left her bleeding and traumatized. She said it began as an ordinary day when she went to the kitchen to boil water, but it quickly turned violent when her husband suddenly burst in, breaking down the kitchen door in rage.
“He broke the kitchen door and pulled me by my hair so hard that I started bleeding,” Nwosu said emotionally. “I don’t even know where I got the strength that day. I picked up a pestle to defend myself. My neighbours saw me naked, screaming for help.”
She also revealed that, despite such shocking abuse, she still faced family pressure to continue with the marriage. “I initially refused to sign the marriage register because I was scared and tired, but my family insisted I had to,” she said. “They told me marriage is not a bed of roses, that I just needed to endure.”
However, Nwosu said her painful experience taught her an important lesson — that marriage should never be about endurance or suffering. “I don’t believe marriage should be a do-or-die affair. Once a man beats you, he won’t stop. Be ready to take it forever, or walk away,” she stated firmly.
“Marriage isn’t endurance — walk away if it’s violent,” actress advises women
Reflecting on her ordeal, the veteran actress used her story as a message to women in abusive relationships. She advised them not to ignore early warning signs of violence, adding that abuse often escalates after marriage rather than disappears. “If you see violence before the wedding, it won’t stop after,” she warned. “Don’t deceive yourself that love or patience will change him. Walk away before it becomes too late.”
Nwosu emphasized that no relationship is worth losing one’s life over and encouraged women to prioritize peace and safety over societal expectations or fear of judgment. She said she now shares her story publicly to help other women recognize danger early and avoid falling into the same trap she once did.
“Many women stay because of pressure — from family, church, or society — but at the end, they pay the highest price,” she said. “It’s better to be single and alive than married and dead inside.”
Through her courage to speak out, Ngozi Nwosu continues to inspire women to break free from abusive relationships and to understand that love should never come with pain or fear.