Nollywood actress Fathia Balogun recently experienced a heartbręaking turn of events following what was meant to be a joyful milestone celebration. The veteran actress marked her 55th birthday on February 8 with a lavish and star-studded party attended by family, friends, and colleagues from the Nigerian film industry.
The birthday celebration was filled with memorable moments, including an energetic live performance by renowned Fuji music star Pasuma, which kept guests entertained throughout the night. The event also featured a surprise appearance by popular actress Funke Akindele, drawing excitement and warm reactions from attendees. Fellow Nollywood actor Uzee Usman was present, alongside Fathia’s son, with whom she shared touching moments that reflected love and family bonding.
However, behind the scenes, tragedy had already struck. Unknown to Aunty Fathia at the time of the celebration, her mother had pass+d away on February 7, a day before the birthday party. In what they described as a deeply painful but protective decision, her family chose to keep the devastating news from her until after the celebration, allowing her to enjoy the occasion without emotional distress.
The actress later took to Instagram on Monday to share the heartbreaking news with her fans and followers. In an emotional post, Aunty Fathia described her late mother as her biggest cheerleader, prayer warrior, and best friend. She expressed profound grief over the loss and acknowledged the difficulty of processing such painful news immediately after a moment of happiness.
Fathia also appealed to the public for privacy as she and her family mourn the loss of their beloved matriarch. Her post quickly drew an outpouring of sympathy from fans, colleagues, and well-wishers across social media. Many praised her family for their difficult choice and offered prayers and words of comfort during the trying period.
Among those who sent condolences was her ex-husband, actor Saheed Balogun, who publicly expressed sympathy and support. Several Nollywood stars and industry insiders also joined fans in mourning with the actress, highlighting the strong sense of community within the entertainment industry.
