Why I Walked Away: Toke Makinwa Opens Up on Pain, Public Scrutiny and Finding Strength

Media personality and actress, Toke Makinwa, has offered a raw reflection on her past marriage, revealing the painful realities behind her decision to leave and the resilience it took to withstand public judgment.

Speaking in a candid conversation with media host Chude Jideonwo, the entrepreneur recounted the challenges of navigating a highly scrutinised relationship while battling personal struggles that many could not see or understand.

Makinwa explained that survivors are often misjudged, with society assuming their ordeals were not serious simply because they survived and moved on.

“People like to say it must not have been that bad because you didn’t die. But if someone comes back 10 mins stronger, it unsettles others. Instead of learning from it, they see your strength as a threat. Until you have walked in my shoes, don’t comment on it,” she said.

She added that her marriage being so public contributed significantly to her decision to leave. Had it been private, she admitted, she might have stayed longer, despite the unhealthy dynamics.

“Maybe I could have stayed if it wasn’t so public. But the way I loved this person would have been dangerous for me. If I stayed, how I felt would have consumed my entire life,” she explained.

For Makinwa, the decision to put herself first, though difficult, was the only way to safeguard her future. She stressed that choosing to walk away from a toxic environment was not an act of weakness but an affirmation of survival.