May Edochie Shares How She Met Estranged Husband Yul Edochie Long Before Fame and Marriage

Before their names became symbols of fame, heartbreak, and media frenzy, there was a time when May Aligwe and Yul Edochie were just two young Nigerians, barely stepping into adulthood, bound not by fame or money, but by curiosity, intellect, and the shared uncertainty of youth.

In an age before social media turned every emotion into a public performance, theirs was a story of quiet beginnings — of chance meetings at a General Certificate Examination (GCE) centre, of long conversations between students with dreams that extended far beyond their campuses.

Years later, when the name Yul Edochie became synonymous with Nollywood royalty, and when May became the elegant, reserved figure admired for her poise amid marital storms, few would imagine that the foundation of their story began in the most unassuming of places — a classroom filled with hopeful students rewriting papers.

May, now widely admired for her grace and composure in the face of public scandal, recently opened up about the early days of her relationship with Yul. Speaking on a lifestyle platform, she described their first encounter as “purely academic, not romantic.”

“Way back in school when I went to the East for my university, I’m a bookworm. It’s always been about books for me,” she recalled with a nostalgic smile. “We didn’t meet at a party or any glamorous setting; we met at a GCE centre.”

At the time, May had moved from Lagos to Enugu to pursue higher education at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). Yul, the son of the legendary actor Pete Edochie, was studying Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) — a path that would soon propel him into the spotlight.

Their meeting was brief, but memorable. Yul, charismatic even in youth, reportedly struck up a conversation about academics, politics, and life after school. May, focused and reserved, found him interesting but didn’t imagine their paths would cross again.

Fate, however, had other plans.

After the exam period, May returned to her studies in Enugu, and Yul went back to Port Harcourt. Months later, through mutual friends and the tight-knit network of students who attended GCE centres across southeastern Nigeria, they reconnected.

Those were the early 2000s — a period when Nigeria’s entertainment industry was beginning to find its rhythm, and Nollywood stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, and Pete Edochie were household names.

Yul’s lineage meant he had an early window into the world of cinema, but it also came with immense pressure. He was expected to live up to his father’s reputation.

May, on the other hand, had no connection to entertainment. She was simply a student chasing her degree and planning a modest life. But she saw something sincere in Yul — a young man passionate about acting, articulate about his dreams, and unafraid to chase them.

They became friends first. What started as phone calls about schoolwork evolved into longer conversations about ambitions, family, and the future.

When Yul eventually expressed his feelings, May was hesitant. She had always seen him as a friend. But his persistence, charm, and clear vision of what he wanted in life eventually won her over.

This was before stardom, before social media, before the pressures of public scrutiny. Their romance unfolded quietly — visits during semester breaks, handwritten letters, long walks on campus lawns, and occasional arguments about academics and career plans.

In her recounting, May described that period as “simple, honest, and pure.”

“We were just two young people in love. We had nothing. There was no social media, no pressure. It was about companionship, understanding, and support,” she said.

They married not long after graduation, building their life from the ground up. For years, their union was seen as one of the most stable marriages in Nollywood — a rare example of love surviving fame.

By the mid-2000s, Yul’s acting career began to accelerate. He appeared in several movies, distinguishing himself with a deep baritone voice, a strong screen presence, and the kind of confidence that mirrored his father’s.

May, on the other hand, remained private. She focused on raising their children, managing their home, and supporting her husband’s career.

She once revealed that Yul’s early years in Nollywood were financially and emotionally challenging. There were moments when movie roles didn’t come, when travel for auditions took days, and when she had to manage the household with little to work with.

But she stayed. She believed in him. And when fame finally came, she stood behind him — not seeking recognition, but quietly proud that her partner had achieved his dream.

As Yul’s fame grew, so did the admiration for May. Fans often described her as “the woman behind the man.”

Their marriage became a symbol of balance — of a humble, God-fearing wife anchoring a fast-rising star. Until 2022, when everything changed.

In April 2022, Yul Edochie shocked fans by announcing that he had taken a second wife — fellow actress Judy Austin — and had a child with her.

The revelation ignited a media storm unlike anything Nollywood had seen in years. For many Nigerians, it felt like watching the collapse of a cultural fairytale.

May, blindsided by the public revelation, chose silence — and then dignity. Her first response was measured but firm: “May God judge you both.”

That single line marked the beginning of her public transformation. She went from being “Yul’s wife” to being May Yul Edochie — the woman who stood tall in heartbreak.

While Yul leaned into his controversial new image, sharing videos with Judy Austin and invoking his Christian faith to justify his decision, May built a new identity rooted in quiet strength and elegance.

May began partnering with lifestyle brands, appearing in talk shows, and becoming a symbol of female resilience. She turned her pain into purpose, encouraging women to rediscover themselves after betrayal.

Her calm demeanor in interviews became a masterclass in emotional maturity. She avoided attacking Yul or Judy directly. Instead, she focused on her healing journey.

“I have chosen to focus on myself and my children,” she once said. “Sometimes peace is not about what you walk away from, but what you choose to walk toward.”

Her statement resonated deeply with Nigerian women. In a society where infidelity is often normalized and women are expected to “endure,” May’s decision to prioritize her peace was revolutionary.

When May shared the story of how she met Yul — at a humble GCE centre — reactions online were immediate and divided.

Some commenters saw it as nostalgia, a woman reflecting on where it all began. Others viewed it as a quiet lament, a reminder that even the purest beginnings can end painfully.

One user wrote, “Someone is there denying you and trying too hard to show that you don’t matter, yet you’re telling the world how you met. Sad.”

Another defended her, saying, “What if she was asked? Her response doesn’t mean anything. Maybe she’s just sharing her story.”

But beneath the comments lies a broader truth: Nigerians are still deeply invested in the May-Yul story — not just as gossip, but as a mirror reflecting how fame, patriarchy, and social media can distort love.

For Yul, being the son of Pete Edochie came with expectations of integrity, family leadership, and cultural wisdom. His father, often seen as the moral voice of Nollywood, once famously said, “A man who leaves his wife for another has lost himself.”

Those words resurfaced after Yul’s second marriage announcement, intensifying the scrutiny.

May’s recount of their origin — a story rooted in humility and education — contrasts sharply with the chaos that followed years later. It reminds many that relationships can begin in innocence but still falter under the weight of ego, fame, and unmet expectations.

Over the past two years, May has reinvented herself as a brand influencer, motivational speaker, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She has partnered with luxury fashion lines, hosted charity drives, and spoken about faith and resilience.

Her Instagram following, now in the millions, reflects her growing influence. But what sets her apart is her restraint. She rarely discusses Yul directly, choosing instead to speak through reflections about life, growth, and forgiveness.

In one recent post, she wrote:
“Sometimes the people you start with aren’t the ones you finish with. But that doesn’t mean your story ends there.”

Fans saw it as a veiled reference to her estranged husband — but more importantly, they saw it as a message of strength for anyone navigating heartbreak.

While May continues her journey of self-discovery, Yul remains active on social media, blending his acting career with political commentary and religious reflections.

His frequent declarations about polygamy, divine will, and love have drawn mixed reactions — some call him authentic, others label him tone-deaf.

Yet, despite the controversy, he continues to defend his choices, often citing biblical references or cultural arguments about African marriage traditions.

May’s quiet grace forms a stark contrast to Yul’s loud defiance — and perhaps, that difference in tone is why she continues to win the court of public opinion.

May’s story transcends her marriage. It speaks to the broader experiences of Nigerian women who find themselves navigating love in an era of shifting values.

Marriage in Nigeria has long been seen as a woman’s ultimate achievement — but May’s evolution challenges that narrative. She represents a new generation of women who refuse to let marital status define their worth.

Her story has also sparked conversations about fame, fidelity, and female dignity in Nollywood. While some male actors have faced similar scandals, few have seen the public rally around the estranged spouse the way Nigerians have rallied around May.

Despite the emotional distance between them, some fans still hold out hope for reconciliation. They comment on her posts with messages like “The husband of your youth, the wife God recognizes.”

Others argue that forgiveness does not mean return. They see May’s current path as a healthier form of closure — one where she reclaims her voice without bitterness.

May herself has neither confirmed nor denied any plans of reconciliation. Her focus remains on personal healing, motherhood, and faith.

At the heart of this saga lies a simple truth: grace is not weakness.

May has become a cultural icon not because she fought back with words, but because she responded with silence, self-improvement, and dignity.

Her recounting of how she met Yul — not at a red-carpet event, not at a film set, but at a GCE centre — is symbolic. It’s a reminder that true love often begins in humility. Whether or not it lasts forever is another story.

From a young student buried in her books at a GCE centre to a global symbol of emotional resilience, May Edochie’s journey reflects the evolution of modern womanhood in Nigeria.

Her story is not just about how she met a man. It’s about how she met herself again after heartbreak.

As one fan poignantly commented:
“She met Yul at a GCE centre, but along the way, she found her centre in God.”

And that — perhaps more than any love story — is the true headline of her life.