Ini Edo, whose full names are Iniobong Edo Ekim was born on April 19, 1982. She is a Nigerian actress, and hails from Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. She is the second child of four children (three girls and a boy) born by her parents. Ini Edo’s Father was a church elder while her mother was a teacher. They are of Ibibio Ethnic Group of the South Eastern part of Akwa-Ibom State. She is said to have had a strict upbringing.
Ini Edo graduated from the University of Uyo, bagging a Diploma in Theatre Arts. She later proceeded to the University of Calabar where she studied English Language, and obtained Bachelors of Arts Degree in English.
Ini Edo’s acting career started in the year 2000, when she was discovered by a producer at an audition she attended. Impressed by Ini Edo’s performance, he gave her a role in his movie and that marked the beginning of her rise to stardom. Today, Ini Edo is one of the Nigeria's highest paid Actress and has featured in over Two Hundred movies including:
Royal gift, Blind Kingdom, Native Son Reloaded, Sleek ladies, Ghetto Queen, Power of Beauty, Political Control, Ass on Fire, Breath Again, Fatal Seduction, Games Men Play, Girls Cot, The Greatest Sacrifice, Married to the Enemy, My Heart Your Home, No Where to Run, Price of Fame, Sacrifice for Love, Secret Fantasy, Silence of the Gods, Supremacy, Too Late to Claim Total Control, Traumatized, War Game, 11:45... Too Late, The Bank Manager, The Begotten, The Bet Cold War, Crying Angel, Desperate Billionaire, Desperate Need, Emotional Blackmail, I Want My Money, Last Game Last Picnic Living in Tears, Living Without You, Lonely Hearts, Men Do Cry, My Precious Son, One God One Nation, Only Love, Pretty Angels, Red Light, Royal Package, Security Risk, Songs of Sorrow, Stronghold, Tears for Nancy, Ultimate Crisis, Unforeseen Beautiful Faces, Eye of the Gods, Eyes of Love, Faces of Beauty, Indecent Girl, Indulgence, I Swear, Legacy Love Crime Love & Marriage, Negative Influence, Not Yours!, World Apart, The One I Trust, Sisters On Fire, Royalty Apart, Never Let Go, End of Do or Die Affair, Darkness of Sorrows, Final Sorrow, Behind The Melody, Memories of The Heart, Royal Gift, Dangerous, Save The Last Dance, Battle For Bride, Caged Lovers, In The Cupboard, Hunted Love, Anointed Queen, A Dance For The Prince, Bride's War, Tears In The Palace, Slip of Fate At All Cost, Mad Sex, The Princess of My Life, Royal gift, Blind Kingdom, Native Son Reloaded, Sleek ladies, Ghetto Queen, Power of Beauty, Political Control, Ass on Fire, Breath Again, Fatal Seduction, Games Men Play, Girls Cot, The Greatest Sacrifice, Married to the Enemy, My Heart Your Home, No Where to Run, Price of Fame, Sacrifice for Love, Secret Fantasy, Silence of the Gods, Supremacy, Too Late to Claim Total Control, Traumatized, War Game, 11:45... Too Late, The Bank Manager, The Begotten, The Bet Cold War, Crying Angel, Desperate Billionaire, Desperate Need, Emotional Blackmail, I Want My Money, Last Game Last Picnic Living in Tears, Living Without You, Lonely Hearts, Men Do Cry, My Precious Son, One God One Nation, Only Love, Pretty Angels, Red Light, etc.
Ini Edo‘s regal red carpet looks later earned her a new gig in the year 2013. The Nollywood star was announced as a judge for the 2013 edition of the Miss Black Africa UK competition. The beauty competition is one of United Kingdom’s largest ethnic pageant, and the particular edition took place on Saturday 5th October 2013 at the Royal Regency, London, United Kingdom.Upon the announcement, Ini was scheduled to join fashion designer Adebayo Jones as well as Charles Ven, Sporah Njau (Tanzania), Jenni Steele (Jamaica), and Justina Mutale (Zambia) as judges on the D-Day.
In November 2008 Ini Edo got married to one Philip Ehiagwina, a businessman. Their wedding was well attended by men and women of substance, including Nollywood actress Rita Dominic.
In October 2014 the marriage between Ini –Edo and her husband, Mr. Philip Ehiagwina broke down irretrievably, and they divorced, due to an alleged claim of mis-understanding between them.
Later in the year 2015, Ini Edo made her relationship with a much younger co-Nollywood star known to public.
After the divorce incident, Ini Edo started being reported to be appearing happier and more successful. She is said to have been living large and is now more successful. The evidence is recently seen when she erected the biggest entertainment hub in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, which she named Mimz Lounge. The new investment of the Actress, who also doubles as a movie producer was later given a highly celebrated opening on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. The lounge includes a guest house and a restaurant that serves both African and international dishes. The likes of MC Galaxy, Timaya and others were said to have been invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Lounge, while DJ Kentucky was alleged to have been invited to spin the wheel of music on that day. Ini Edo really stepped-up her game after she and her ex-husband parted ways. Just few months after their official separation, Ini Edo procured a Mercedes G-Wagon that was alleged to worth about N38 million. She was also alleged to have followed up with buying a Range Rover. Report also has it that she purchased a N70 million worth of house in a choice area of Lekki.
It should be recalled that all the above are dreams come true for Ini Edo, as those are the things she really, really wanted in her life, except that her dreams also included having a big family. The Nollywood star in the year 2013, sat down with Emma Emerson of Golden Icons in an exclusive chat, and dished on her amazing career, meeting and choosing her husband, her colleagues’ weddings and expanding her clan. Big house was one of the things she said she wanted in that chat.
Due to Ini Edo’s Philantropic works, the United Nations appointed her as the United Nations Habitat Youth. She is a 2014 Giama nominee for Best Actress, Female Viewers Choice And Best Comedic Act. Ini Edo was the winner of the 2013 NAFCA award for best supporting actress.
In the recent times, many Nollywood stars have been venturing into politics. Toeing the lines of some of her colleagues in the entertainment industry including Richard Mofe Damijo, Desmond Eliot, Okey Bakassi, Iyanya, Nkiru Sylvanus e.t.c, Ini Edo was alleged to have been given a political appointment sometime in the year 2016, precisely in the month of February. She has reportedly been appointed a special adviser on tourism to Akwa Ibom state governor, Emmanuel Udoh. Reports say she has since received her appointment letter.
As if Ini Edo’s appointment was not enough for the month of February 2016, She further signed an endorsement deal with Slimtea Nigeria to become their brand ambassador. The contract was signed by Ini Edo on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Her being made Slimtea ambassador may have a link with her recent drastic reduction in weight, as Ini Edo has gone from the chubby actress to a model figure actress. She shared the picture of the contract signing on her Instagram timeline.
Ini Edo had earlier on December 4, 2016, advised her fans on body shape and size and how it does not stop them from achieving success in life. She said that even though she was born chubby but that did not stop her from sealing endorsement deals with brands nor starring in movies. She also encouraged her fans to stay focused in what they do, as size or shape does not determine success or acceptance in society.
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