Dupe Adetuwo

EARLY LIFE

Princess Dupe Adetuwo was born in Ondo State, Nigeria, into a royal family in Ikale land. She is a princess from a renowned traditional institution, with her late father, Oba J. A. Adetuwo '2', serving as the paramount ruler of Ikale land and an entertainer before ascending the throne. She began her primary education at St. Louis Primary School in Ibadan and attended Manner Memorial Grammar School for secondary education before transferring to Ondo High School in Ondo State. At Ondo High School, she was actively involved in the Literary and Debating Society and the Drama Society, where she wrote dramas and played male roles, such as Bambulu the school teacher in the play This is Our Chance. She also excelled in sports, playing table tennis for Ondo State and becoming the Ondo State women’s table tennis champion. Writing became a hobby during her secondary school years, influenced by books from her childhood, which later shaped her path as an author and playwright. She pursued higher education at Auchi Polytechnic (ND) and Bida Polytechnic (HND), followed by additional courses in interior decoration in England. Her early exposure to drama and literature ignited a lifelong passion for the arts, and she has described acting as being “in her blood.”

CAREER

Princess Dupe Adetuwo is a veteran Nollywood actress, movie producer, interior decorator, author, playwright, and politician with a career spanning over four decades. She began acting in the mid-1980s, landing her first screen role in the TV show Mirror in the Sun (written by Lola Fani-Kayode) around 1983/84, introduced through family friendship with Tade Ogidan. She worked as a freelance artist at NTA alongside notable actors like Dolly Nwachukwu and Clarion Chukwura. Her early credits include the celluloid film Sunbird (by Jimi Solanke, where she played the lead role Tanwa), At Your Service (produced by Emmanuel France), and SPACS (Special Protection Anti Crimes Squad by Danlami Bako). She has appeared in numerous TV series such as Country People, Zenith, Haven, Family Ties, and Super Story, as well as films and Yoruba movies including Tinu mi ni mo mo (which she produced in 2005), Owo Asela, Abajo, Sababi, Ibironke, Moserami, Olorun ni, Omi Ewuro, Gbewiri, Ija ewe, Oro towo seti, Baiye seri, Edun, Dazzling Mirage (2014), Iku lopin (2006), and Perosoko (2003). As a producer, she has created impactful stories, and she is also an author and playwright influenced by her childhood reading. She serves as a council member at Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) Akungba-Akoko and was formerly the Ogun State chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). In her political career, she holds the position of Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ondo State on Arts and Culture, where she advocates for cultural progress and has made significant impacts through her leadership and experience in Nollywood. She is a member of the APC and is known for her commitment to the party’s structures and the well-being of others. Her work as an interior decorator complements her creative pursuits, and she continues to mentor in the arts while promoting cultural heritage.

PERSONAL LIFE

Princess Dupe Adetuwo is a mother of three children, including a daughter who is a lawyer, actress, and model. She was previously married, but her husband passed away in 1996; she chose not to remarry at the time to focus on raising her children and has remained single while prioritizing her family. She describes herself as a happy, down-to-earth, God-fearing woman who lives a simple life, loves being around beautiful people, fears God, and prefers uncomplicated things (such as low-cut hair, no plaits or braids, and minimal makeup). Her faith and family values are central to her life, and she has emphasized the importance of integrity, humility, and kindness. She maintains close ties to her royal heritage in Ikale land, Ondo State, and has earned respect from traditional institutions across the state and beyond. Her personal journey reflects resilience, having balanced family responsibilities with a demanding career in entertainment and public service.

Princess Dupe Adetuwo is a respected figure in Nigerian entertainment, politics, and culture, blending her royal heritage with a passion for the arts and public service. She is recognized for her integrity, humility, and dedication to empowering others, often describing life as about doing good without expecting rewards. She remains active in the industry as a film maker and continues to inspire through her multifaceted career.