Mercy Aigbe is a 43-year-old award-winning Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur, brand influencer, and scriptwriter. She ventured into acting at the age of 28 and is mostly known for her epic roles in Yoruba movies, for which has made her an household name in the Nollywood industry.
Besides her acting career, Mercy Aigbe has
diversified her career path to include working behind the camera in filmmaking, scriptwriting,
and production. She has produced many movies in the Yoruba and English languages, with her first as “Date Night”, released in 2017. Mercy is also the founder of “Mercy Aigbe Gentry School of Drama”, and a brand influencer to so many notable brands across Nigeria and Africa. For her excellent contributions, the actress has recorded many awards in her name.
★ Profile
• Full name – Mercy Aigbe
• Birth date – 1st of January, 1978
• Birth place & Origin – Edo State
• Age – 43 years old
• Nationality – Nigerian
• Marital status – Divorced (Lanre Gentry)
• Children – 2
• Occupation – Actress, Filmmaker, Producer, Content Creator, Entrepreneur, Model
• Instagram followers – 10m
• Net worth – $1.2 million
• Years active (Acting) – 2001-present
★ Early life, Background & Education
Mercy Aigbe was born on 1 January 1978 in Edo State to Pa Aigbe and Mrs Abisola Grace Owodunni. She hails from Benin city (Edo State capital). She is the second child in a family of five. She had her primary education at St. Francis primary school and attended Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School Ikeja, Lagos. She is also an alumnus of The Polytechnic of Ibadan, Oyo State, where she received her OND in Financial Studies. In 2001, Mercy Aigbe graduated from University of Lagos with a degree in Theater Arts.
★ Career
Mercy Aigbe kicked off her acting career by starring in some soap operas including the popular TV drama series "Papa Ajasco". Professionally, Mercy Aigbe made her debut in the Nollywood industry in 2006 and acted in the movie that brought her into limelight 'Ara', a movie produced by Remi Oluko in Ibadan, Oyo State. Before then, she had always wanted to act, but she didn’t know she would take it professionally until her OND days when it became a big deal to her. As a result, in 2001, she went to study Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos, so that she could become a professional actress.
She founded "Mercy Aigbe Gentry School of Drama" in 2016. The school offers a 4-month training in acting, script-writing, movie making, stage management, etc. Students are under the tutelage of well-trained, and experienced instructors who help them build a solid foundation and develop the skills they need to succeed in the highly competitive Nollywood industry.
★ Marriage
She was once married to Lanre Gentry popularly called Asiwaju Gentry – a divorced Hotel Manager. According to her, she was skeptical about their relationship leading to marriage, due to the failure of her first marriage and the failure of Lanre’s first marriage as well. According to her, she decided she would rather face her career due to the bad experiences she gained in her first marriage.
However, after dating for two years the couple got married. They have two children, Michelle, and Gbolahan Gentry, as well as three stepdaughters.
The marriage between Mercy and Gentry headed to the rocks when her husband was accused of domestic violence. It all began when Mercy accused her husband of having extra-marital affairs. More allegations surfaced when Mercy revealed she was used as a punching bag by Gentry who aggressively pounced on her at home.
Photos of a battered Mercy subsequently surfaced online with preceding medical reports of internal bleeding and fractures. The actress moved out of her husband’s house on grounds of domestic violence. Talks of possible divorce have flooded the media since the dreadful episode, although neither of the party has affirmed it, but what's known is that – the two are no longer together, probably they decided not to make their decision publicly, due to their past individual marriages.
★ Endorsements
• In November 2014, Mercy Aigbe was made the brand ambassador for Elephant Gold Rice. • She signed a one year deal to be the brand ambassador for Prestige Cosmetic in June 2015.
• In July 2016, Mercy signed an endorsement deal with Edalaf Brother Limited (an IT solution company).
• She was made an ambassador for a fitness company called "Shape you", the company that produced Slimming Coffee in October 2016.
• On March 2017, was made the brand ambassador for BK hair.
• In September 2018, She was made the brand ambassador for "Naija Taxi Services" (a company that deal with transportation of people).
• Mercy Aigbe along with Bose Alao and Biodun Okeowo penned an endorsement deal with a Cosmetic giant "Mary Make"
Obviously, this isn't a complete list of all her endorsement deals so far, but the above listed were the major ones that made headlines, as there are many more on her Instagram page.
★ Movies
• Afefe Ife (2008)
• Okanjua (2008)
• Atunida Leyi (2009)
• Igberaga (2009)
• Ihamo (2009)
• Ìpèsè (2009)
• Iró funfun (2009)
• Mafisere (2009)
• Oju ife (2009)
• Omoge Osas (2012)
• Ile Oko Mii (2014)
• Victims (2015)
• The Screenplay (2017)
• Little Drops of Happy (2017)
• 200 Million (2018)
• Second Acts (2018)
• Lagos Real Fake Life (2018)
• Swallow (2021)
★ Awards & Nominations
• City People Awards – “Best Actress in Yoruba” (2008)
• Links and Glitz World Awards – “Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year” (2010)
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Yoruba) – 2010
• Nominated as the Best Actress in an Indigenous Movie (non-English speaking language) – 2012
• Award of Excellence at the Global Leadership Awards for Excellence (GLADE) – 2012
• Best Indigenous Language (Yoruba) – 2014
• Woman of Style at the MoreKlue All Youths Awards – 2014
• Yoruba Movies Academy Awards (YMAA) – “Best Actress in a Lead Role” (2014)
• City People Entertainment – “Personality of the year” (2015)
• Links and Glitz World Awards Fashion – “Entrepreneur of the Year” (2015)
• City People Movie Award – “Best Actress of the Year (Yoruba)” (2016)
• All Youths Tush Awards – “Role Model Awards” (2017)
• Greenview Awards – “Best Supporting Actress” (2018)
• NET Honours – “Most Searched Actress” (2018)
• NET Honours – “Most Popular Actress” – (2018)
• Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) – “Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Yoruba)”
• NET Honours – “Most Popular Actress” – (2019)
★ Fashion & Style
Mercy Aigbe is known for her unique style and dressing. At the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Mercy Aigbe's dress earned her great applause from fashion stakeholders, and she trended on social media even after the ceremony. The dress was highly-commended for its unique design. In November 2014, Aigbe launched her very own clothing store, “Mag Divas Boutique” in Lagos. After seeing how well and profitable her Lagos store did, she went ahead to open a new investors overlooking another outlet in Ibadan. She was awarded Fashion Entrepreneur of The Year at Links and Glitz World Awards.
★ Personal Life
After her first marriage ended due to the interference of her mother inlaw, Mercy Aigbe in 2013, married a Nigerian hotelier, Lanre Gentry, and has two children (Juwon Gentry and Michelle Aigbe) and three stepdaughters. In 2017, she shared photos of herself after allegedly being assaulted by her husband. She consequently separated from her husband due to claims of domestic violence, and started a campaign against it.
★ Mercy Aigbe Quotes
“Being yourself is the only way to stand out in today’s crowded market.”
“As a business owner, differentiate yourself, be consistent, and figure out what they want.”
“Mind the people you let into your circle.”
“You’re stronger than you think, you’re more capable than you realize.”
“An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down, unless you allow it to get inside you.”
“What you allow is what will continue, you attract the energy you want…”
“Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.”
★ Net worth
As of 2021, Mercy Aigbe who's one of the most influential, and noteworthy personalities in Nigeria, is estimated to be worth roughly $1 million.
Well, there you have it. Make sure you check out our other blog posts for more information about the crypto market and trending entertainment headlines. Thanks for reading!