Latoya Ekemode, widow of late highlife and Afrobeat icon Orlando Julius, has opened up about their marriage, saying she chose to marry him despite being 17 years younger. Four years after the saxophonist’s passing in 2022, she explained that age was never a barrier to the bond they shared.
Latoya recalled meeting Orlando Julius in the late 1970s, when she was a young performer drawn to his music, charisma and dedication to African sound. Over time, friendship blossomed into love, and she eventually became not only his wife but also his stage partner and manager, working closely with him on tours and recordings.
According to her, some friends and relatives initially questioned the decision to marry a man much older and already an established star. However, she said their relationship was built on mutual respect, genuine affection and a shared passion for music, which helped them weather outside criticism and the pressures of show business.
Latoya recounted how the couple later settled in Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, where Orlando Julius received the honorary chieftaincy title “Gbeluniyi” from the Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye. She described those years as some of their happiest, marked by performances, mentoring younger musicians and enjoying a quieter life away from Lagos.
The widow, who turned 60 in 2020, said she has continued to keep her husband’s legacy alive through performances, tributes and collaborations with cultural organisations. She noted that their love story remains a personal reminder that true companionship is not defined by age, but by commitment, friendship and shared purpose.
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