Tiwa Savage Says Son Is Her Only True Love, Reflects on Failed Marriage and Struggles

Tiwa Savage says her only true experience of love is with her son, Jamil, describing past relationships as infatuation. She reflected on her 2018 divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun, struggles with postpartum depression, and public criticism, noting she was urged to stay silent to protect her image.

Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage, in a deeply candid and emotional interview with Zeze Mills on Friday, opened up about her personal life in a way that revealed both vulnerability and self-reflection. Speaking openly, she admitted that the only time she has ever truly experienced what she considers to be genuine love is with her son, Jamil.

The 45-year-old singer took a reflective look back at her romantic history, carefully revisiting past relationships and her marriage. In doing so, she came to the conclusion that the feelings she once believed to be love were, in truth, only fleeting emotions and infatuation. “I’ve never felt true love except with my son. Looking back at my relationships, even my marriage, I realise it wasn’t love,” she revealed.

Savage went on to share that despite her willingness to find lasting love, her experiences have left her wondering whether romantic love is something she is destined to have at all. “I’ve tried repeatedly, so maybe love isn’t meant for me in this lifetime,” she confessed. The award-winning artist emphasised that her repeated efforts to build meaningful romantic connections have only brought her to the conclusion that love, at least in its romantic form, might not be part of her journey. “Maybe love isn’t for me because I have tried over and over again, so maybe love isn’t for me this lifetime,” she reiterated with a tone of resignation.

This is not the first time Tiwa Savage has been open about her struggles in matters of the heart. In December last year, she spoke publicly and in detail about the end of her marriage to her ex-husband, Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun. The couple, who were married in 2013, divorced in 2018 after several attempts to resolve their differences failed.

At the time of the separation, the ‘Kele Kele’ hitmaker made it clear that she held her ex-husband responsible for the breakdown of their marriage. She also disclosed that during that period, she was battling postpartum depression following the birth of their son. While dealing with her personal struggles, she was also subjected to intense public criticism, with many people attacking her without giving her an opportunity to share her perspective.

Savage further recounted how some prominent and influential figures had advised her to remain silent about the circumstances surrounding the divorce, suggesting that staying quiet would protect her public image and reputation. However, her openness in recent years reflects a personal choice to reclaim her narrative and share her truth, regardless of societal expectations.