Biography
Actress ‘Iya Gbonkan’: Biography, Education, Career, Marriage, Achievements and Controversy
By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Iya Gbonkan, real name, Margaret Bandele Olayinka, is a Nollywood actress and producer.
She was born on the 14th of September, 1958, in her hometown, Otu, Oyo State.
Iya Gbonkan is famous for her occultic roles in Yoruba movies. She has perfected the role so well that movie lovers sometimes relate the role to her real lifestyle.
Education
There is no public information about her educational background.
Career
Iya Gbonkan has always loved acting, even as a young child. She has since the time started working towards her goals, and when she was an adult, she decided she wanted to work in the Yoruba film industry.
She began her career in the Yoruba film industry in the early 1970s after appearing in Pa Yemi Elebu’bon’s renowned “Ifa Olokun” TV series. Following that, she began her first training in the performing arts under the guidance of Duro Ladipo, with the majority of the performances taking place on stage.
Iya Gbonkan eventually realized as she advanced in the business that she has a natural talent for playing the part of a witch or a wicked mother in motion pictures. She portrays her witch roles so convincingly that her name is frequently linked to harmful witchcraft in the media.
In the spooky but “true-life” films “Koto Orun” and “Koto Aiye,” which were directed by the late Alhaji Ajileye, who passed away on October 11, 2006, she gained fame by portraying a witch. The film is well-known for its occult and demonic themes.
Marriage
Iya Gbonkan married Duru Ladipo, the late dramatist’s younger brother. They have two children together.
Net worth
NewsWireNGR cannot independently verify Iya Gbonkan’s net worth
Achievements
Iya Gbonkan is a recipient of several lifetime awards and has been featured in over a hundred movies.
Controversy
Iya Gbonkan has, on several occasions, stated that she had been reportedly called a witch in real life because of her movie roles.
Additionally, she recounted her experience with witches after her role in Koto Orun.
According to her: “I have so much confidence, I will see what I will be scared of, I must see that thing before I run, but God made me overcome. The day they beat me I was asleep and all my eyes were red, thank God for my baby daddy that was alive then.“
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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