Yeni Kuti, the renowned Nigerian singer and daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has shared an intimate revelation about her late mother, Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti, Fela’s first wife. Speaking on TVC’s flagship show, Your View, Yeni disclosed that her mother chose celibacy for an entire two decades after her separation from the music icon in 1981.
Yeni explained, “Sex is a very important part of marriage, but celibacy is also a valid choice. My mother never met another man after moving out of my father’s house. From 1981 until her death in 2002, she was celibate. I knew, but I couldn’t fully comprehend it at the time.”
Remarkably, Remilekun, who passed away from cancer in 2002, had remained resolute in her celibacy. Yeni recounted a poignant moment when her mother, during a medical check-up, was asked why she wasn’t sexually active. To this, Remilekun replied, “Fela is the only man for me.”
Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti, born in London on July 12, 1941, moved to Nigeria after meeting Fela at a party. They married on January 7, 1961, and were blessed with three children: Yeni, Femi, and Sola, who tragically passed away in 1997. Remilekun’s life with Fela was filled with both love and turbulence, and her memoir, Mrs Kuti, co-authored by her children Femi and Yeni, was released in January 2025, shedding light on her extraordinary life and struggles as Fela’s wife and an independent woman.
The memoir, described as a heartfelt account of Remilekun’s journey, reveals the complexities of love, marriage, and motherhood. The book paints a vivid picture of her experiences—from living in a home for orphaned children in the English Midlands to her eventual move to Nigeria, where she navigated culture shock and faced numerous challenges as Fela’s wife.
Yeni’s emotional reflections on her mother’s celibacy offer a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices and choices made in the aftermath of Fela’s iconic yet tumultuous career. Remilekun’s story serves as a powerful testament to personal resilience and the complexities of love and loss.
