Reality TV star Hermes Iyele has shared emotional details of his difficult childhood, revealing how his late mother, Isioma Iyele, walked out on the family after his father lost his wealth.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Hermes disclosed that his father, who once worked with UNICEF and traveled globally, hit hard times and eventually became a bus driver. The family’s financial struggles forced them to live in an uncompleted building — a situation his mother found unbearable.
He recalled how she left home one night and never returned for seven years, leaving his father to raise him and his siblings alone.
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Despite the emotional impact of her departure, Hermes said he holds no grudge against his mother. He believes she made the best decision for herself at the time, especially as their parents’ marriage was troubled.
Hermes praised his father for stepping up during those hard times, describing him as a loving and resilient man who raised his children with care and values despite the odds.
He said, “My father worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and traveled the world, but ended up being a bus driver.
“I don’t know why he went broke, probably mismanagement of funds, but I don’t know the full story, and that’s what led to my mum leaving.
“They had to move into an uncompleted building, but my mum said she couldn’t move in with us, so she left that night and didn’t come back until seven years later. We were pretty young when she left because things got hard, and she couldn’t cope.
“My father raised us with so much love and did it quite well. The thing about love, and how my father taught us to love, is the reason I still have so much love for my mum, regardless.
“My parents didn’t have a happy marriage, so she probably made the decision that was best for her. I can’t fault her for that.”
Hermes lost his mother in November 2024.
