I TRIED TO END MY LIFE AFTER MY MARRIAGE CRASHED” – UBI FRANKLIN OPENS UP ABOUT FAILED MARRIAGE TO LILIAN ESORO AND THE LESSON HE LEARNT
Popular Nigerian music executive Ubi Franklin has opened up about the emotional struggles he faced during and after the collapse of his marriage to actress Lilian Esoro, revealing that the experience pushed him into a dark period of depression.
Speaking during a recent interview, Ubi recounted how his relationship moved quickly after they met in January 2015. According to him, he proposed just a few months later and organised a grand engagement celebration at Eko Hotel, inviting close friends and industry colleagues.
However, he said the event took an unexpected turn when Lilian failed to show up, leaving behind her engagement ring. The incident, which attracted widespread attention on social media at the time, left him deeply embarrassed and heartbroken.
Ubi revealed that after searching for her without success, she was eventually found and later explained that she had developed cold feet about the relationship. He said they reconciled, travelled together to London and returned to Nigeria, where they attended AY Live before she once again left the relationship, reportedly dropping the engagement ring on the bed before leaving.
According to him, Lilian later returned and expressed her readiness to proceed with the marriage. They eventually got married, but the union later ended in divorce.
Reflecting on the difficult period, Ubi disclosed that the failed marriage took a severe toll on his mental health. He admitted that he struggled with depression and, at one point, contemplated ending his life. He credited a relative with repeatedly intervening and preventing him from acting on those thoughts.
Despite the painful experience, the music executive said he and Lilian chose not to fight publicly after their separation. Instead, they maintained mutual respect and focused on peacefully co-parenting their son.
Ubi described their son as the greatest blessing to come out of the relationship, adding that he still supports his ex-wife whenever the opportunity arises and that they continue to celebrate important milestones in their child’s life together.
Sharing the lesson he learnt from the experience, Ubi encouraged people not to allow failed relationships to turn into lifelong hatred. According to him, some relationships simply run their course, and rather than holding on to bitterness, people should learn from the experience and move forward.
His candid revelation has since sparked conversations online, with many social media users praising his openness about mental health, healing and mature co-parenting after divorce.