There's nothing as loving as seeing a marriage stand the test of time especially that of a celebrity.
Controversial public figure, Charles Oputa a.k.a Charly Boy has been married to his wife Diane aka Lady D for over 35 years and despite the storms of cultural boundaries, their love is still growing strong.
In a recent interview with Vanguard, Charly boy revealed that he was intimated into marriage by his wife.
On how he met his wife, Charly boy revealed that he met her in 1974/1975 in a hair saloon in Boston, USA, he invited her out and she accepted and that's how it started.
On his parents reaction to marrying someone from a different cultural background:
"My parents had met her several times in Boston. I didn't know she was going to be my wife. I wanted to marry a Nigerian and not an American. But she was all over me, and when I wanted to return to Nigeria in 1980/1981, she bought her own ticket under the guise that she was coming to spend two weeks in Nigeria, only for her to end up spending six months.
"So, my parents were worried that she should go back to her country to give me chance to look for a wife. She was supposed to book for a ticket to return to America. One day, she woke up and said to me: 'Marry me or I will never come back to Nigeria.' That was how I was intimidated into marrying her. I didn't propose to her, rather she was the one who proposed to me. That's why I said I was intimidated into marrying her."
Speaking on his 35 years of marriage, he said its like a moving coaster:
Controversial public figure, Charles Oputa a.k.a Charly Boy has been married to his wife Diane aka Lady D for over 35 years and despite the storms of cultural boundaries, their love is still growing strong.
In a recent interview with Vanguard, Charly boy revealed that he was intimated into marriage by his wife.
On how he met his wife, Charly boy revealed that he met her in 1974/1975 in a hair saloon in Boston, USA, he invited her out and she accepted and that's how it started.
On his parents reaction to marrying someone from a different cultural background:
"My parents had met her several times in Boston. I didn't know she was going to be my wife. I wanted to marry a Nigerian and not an American. But she was all over me, and when I wanted to return to Nigeria in 1980/1981, she bought her own ticket under the guise that she was coming to spend two weeks in Nigeria, only for her to end up spending six months.
"So, my parents were worried that she should go back to her country to give me chance to look for a wife. She was supposed to book for a ticket to return to America. One day, she woke up and said to me: 'Marry me or I will never come back to Nigeria.' That was how I was intimidated into marrying her. I didn't propose to her, rather she was the one who proposed to me. That's why I said I was intimidated into marrying her."
Speaking on his 35 years of marriage, he said its like a moving coaster:
"Sometimes, it's good, at other times, it's averagely good. We have had our issues, but, above every other thing, I think we have great understanding and respect for each other; love and trust for each other. Also, we were willing to work out anything that will keep us together. That's why I think we have come this far," adding that the strength of their marriage is great understanding, mutual respect and a lot of communication.
His advice to young couples:
"I don't think most couples respect themselves. And if there is no respect, there will be no understanding. But in a marriage where there is respect and understanding, the couple will approach any problem that comes their way with that kind of mindset. If I do something that is out of order, I quickly apologise to my wife. For longevity in marriage, there should be great friendship, understanding and a lot of communication and determination to want to stick to it and make it work."
His advice to young couples:
"I don't think most couples respect themselves. And if there is no respect, there will be no understanding. But in a marriage where there is respect and understanding, the couple will approach any problem that comes their way with that kind of mindset. If I do something that is out of order, I quickly apologise to my wife. For longevity in marriage, there should be great friendship, understanding and a lot of communication and determination to want to stick to it and make it work."
