Tonto Dikeh Biography: Age, State Of Origin, Boyfriend, Son, Career, Movies, Awards, Controversies, Net Worth
Tonto Dikeh Biography
Tonto Dikeh is a Nigerian actress, singer, songwriter, and humanitarian, born on June 9, 1985, in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. She has been active in the entertainment industry since 2006 and is known for her work in movies such as “Missing Rib” and “Games Fools Play.” Tonto Dikeh is also recognized for her music career, having released singles like “Hi” and “Itz Ova,” and for a time, she was signed to the record label DB Records.
Apart from her entertainment career, she established “The Tonto Dikeh Foundation” on August 27, 2000, which focuses on humanitarian efforts. In June 2022, she was announced as the deputy governorship candidate under the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election.
Tonto Dikeh’s personal life has also been in the spotlight, including her marriage to Oladunni Churchill in 2015, which ended in divorce in 2017. She has one child, a son named King.
Tonto Dikeh Age
Tonto Dikeh is 38 years old as of 2024.
Tonto Dikeh State Of Origin
Tonto Dikeh hails from the Ikwerre tribe and her state of origin is Rivers State, specifically from the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
Tonto Dikeh Early Life and Education
Tonto Dikeh, born Tonto Charity Dikeh on June 9, 1985, in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria, is a figure of multiple talents and interests. She is the third of five children in her family, which hails from Obio-Akpor, an LGA in Rivers State, and is of Ikwerre descent.
Tragedy struck early in her life when she lost her mother at the age of three. She was raised by her step-mother, who had two children of her own, creating a blended family of seven.
Her educational journey began in Rivers State, where she attended the Army Children’s School for her primary education. This was followed by her secondary education at the Government Girls College, a period during which she would have developed the foundational skills that would serve her later in life.
After completing her secondary education, Tonto Dikeh took a significant step towards her future by enrolling at the University of Port Harcourt. There, she pursued a degree in Petrochemical Engineering, a field that combines the principles of engineering and chemistry to process and refine petroleum products into useful compounds.
Upon graduation, Tonto Dikeh emerged with a Bachelor’s degree in Petrochemical Engineering. This academic achievement marked the end of one phase of her life and the beginning of another. With a solid educational background, she was well-equipped to embark on the diverse career paths that would eventually lead her to become a celebrated actress, singer, and philanthropist.
Tonto Dikeh Career
Tonto Dikeh’s career in the entertainment industry is as diverse as it is successful. She first gained public attention in 2005 after participating in the reality TV show “The Next Movie Star,” where her vibrant personality and talent shone through. This exposure paved the way for her entry into the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood.
Her debut movie role was in “Tea or Coffee” in 2006, and since then, Tonto has become a staple in the Nigerian film scene, appearing in over 150 movies. Her performances have ranged from dramatic leads to comedic roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Not content with just acting, Tonto Dikeh ventured into music. She released singles like “Hi” and “Itz Ova,” which featured Snypa. Her musical style blended R&B and pop, and she was signed to the record label DB Records in 2014, although she announced her departure from the label in 2015.
Her film “Dirty Secret” created a buzz due to its adult content, sparking conversations about the portrayal of sexuality in African cinema. While some criticized her for taking on such a role, others defended her artistic freedom and professionalism.
Beyond the screen, Tonto Dikeh has also made her mark as a philanthropist. She established “The Tonto Dikeh Foundation” in 2000, focusing on improving the lives of underprivileged women and children through education, healthcare, and empowerment initiatives.
In a surprising turn, Tonto Dikeh entered the political arena as the deputy governorship candidate under the African Democratic Congress in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election. Her candidacy was a significant moment, highlighting her commitment to social issues and governance.
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Tonto Dikeh Movies
Tonto Dikeh has appeared in a wide range of movies throughout her career. Here’s a list of some of her films:
- Tea or Coffee (2006)
- Pounds and Dollars (2006)
- Missing Rib (2007)
- Final Hour (2007)
- Divine Grace (2007)
- Game Fools Play (2007)
- Broken Silence (2012)
- My Life, My Damage (2013)
- Celebrity Marriage (2017)
Tonto Dikeh Awards
Tonto Dikeh has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to the entertainment industry. Some of her accolades include:
- Best Actress of the Year at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
- Most Prominent Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
- Best Actress in a Leading Role at the City People Entertainment Awards.
- Best Actress at The Future Awards 2012.
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the BON Awards 2012.
- Female Viewers Choice at the GIAMA Awards 2014.
- Most Fashionable Female Celebrity at the Lagos Fashion Awards 2014.
- Most Fashionable Actress of the Year at the Lagos Fashion Awards 2015.
- Best Actress at the Peace Ambassador Award 2016.
Tonto Dikeh Controversies
Tonto Dikeh has been involved in several controversies throughout her career. One of the recent issues is related to a person known as VeryDarkMan, who was arrested following a petition by Tonto Dikeh over allegations of cyberbullying and threats to her safety. Before his arrest, VeryDarkMan had accused Tonto Dikeh of being involved in the formation of the GistLover blog, which led to multiple death threats from the blog’s detractors.
Another controversy involved her relationship with Prince Kpokpogri, which became quite public due to the nature of the issues they encountered. Their relationship faced significant challenges and controversies.
Tonto Dikeh’s personal life, including her marriage and subsequent divorce from Oladunni Churchill, has also been a subject of public discussion and controversy.
Tonto Dikeh Ex Husband
Tonto Dikeh was married to Oladunni Churchill. The couple got married in August 2015, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2017.
Tonto Dikeh Son
Tonto Dikeh has a son named King Andre Dikeh, born on February 17, 2016.
Tonto Dikeh Ex Boyfriend
After her marriage, Tonto Dikeh was in a relationship with Prince Kpokpogri. They faced some controversies, and their relationship was quite public due to the nature of the issues they encountered.
Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Dikeh has an estimated net worth of $2.3 million as of 2024.
Tonto Dikeh Social Media Handles
Tonto Dikeh is active on social media, and you can find her on the following platforms:
- Instagram: @tontolet
- Twitter: @tontolet
- Facebook: TONTO W. C. DIKEH
