Veteran Actor Jude Chukwuka Reveals Eight-Year Battle With Undiagnosed Depression After Wife Left

Veteran Actor Jude Chukwuka Reveals Eight-Year Battle With Undiagnosed Depression After Wife Left

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jude Chukwuka, has opened up about a difficult chapter of his life, revealing that he unknowingly battled depression for about eight years following the collapse of his marriage.

Chukwuka made the disclosure during an interview with African A-List on Friday, September 5, 2026, while reflecting on the emotional impact of his failed marriage and how it affected his outlook on life.

The actor said he initially did not realise that the changes in his behaviour and emotions were symptoms of depression.

According to him, he simply continued with his life without understanding why he had lost interest in many things.

“My wife left me for eight years. I didn’t know I had depression,” he said. “I was just living my life like I’m not interested in all of these things for about eight years.”

Chukwuka explained that his emotional withdrawal and lack of interest persisted for years after the breakdown of his marriage, but he was unable to identify the underlying problem at the time.

The veteran actor’s revelation offers an insight into the emotional struggles that can follow the breakdown of a marriage, particularly when the affected person does not recognise the psychological effects of the experience.

Chukwuka had previously disclosed that his first marriage ended in 2011. He described his subsequent marriage as a “second chance” after experiencing heartbreak from the earlier failed relationship.

His latest revelation highlights the prolonged emotional consequences of the experience and the difficulty he faced in recognising what he was going through.

The actor’s account also underscores the importance of paying attention to prolonged emotional withdrawal, loss of interest and other significant changes in behaviour, which can sometimes be associated with depression.

Chukwuka has remained active in Nollywood over the years and is known for his appearances in numerous Nigerian films and television productions.