Rita Nzelu is a veteran Nigerian actress, model, and TV Personality best known for her role in the 2001 Nollywood movie “Living in bondage”. Rita left the movie industry in 2003 to be with her family in London
The Nollywood industry may have evolved over the years with many new faces taking over our screen but the likes of Rita Nzelu cannot be forgotten in a hurry as they have laid a foundation upon which the current stars in the industry thrive. As a reward for being one of the pioneer Nollywood actresses, Rita received numerous awards including “the best actress of the year” award. Read on to know more about the former Nollywood actress.
Summary of Rita Nzelu’s Biography
- Full name: Rita Nzelu
- Gender: Female
- Ethnicity: Igbo
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Rita Nzelu’s Husband: Simeon Okoro
- Rita Nzelu’s Children: 2 children
- Rita Nzelu’s Net worth: $500,000 (est.)
- Famous for: “Living in Bondage”
- Rita Nzelu’s Instagram: @ritanzeluofficial
- Twitter: @RITANZELU
Rita Nzelu Hails From Enugu State in South East Nigeria
Rita Nzelu is Igbo by tribe. She was born in Ozubulu, a town in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. She, however, grew up in the city of Enugu where she also had her basic and secondary education. Apparently, she obtained a degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in Enugu state. Rita Nzelu’s date of birth is not known hence her current age cannot be ascertained.
There are no details of members of her family and even her childhood years but it is largely believed that the Nollywood veteran grew up in a Christian family where her parents left no stone unturned in teaching her their family values.
Rita Began Acting in 1990
Rita joined Nollywood when the industry was still in its prime. Although it is not clear what inspired her to go into acting, her presence in the industry was timely as through her acting prowess, movies that stood the test of time were made. Rita began her acting career, sometime in 1990 and made her acting debut in the movie “Living in bondage,” which got her popularity and fame in the country at the time.
The two-part drama thriller film, which was released in 1992, was Nigeria’s first home video that achieved blockbuster success. It was shot straight to video and it starred Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles.
The movie has Rita playing the role of Tina, a former prostitute who was presented to a cult for money rituals. Following the film’s successes, Rita was hailed for her energetic acting. In the years that followed, she became known for being able to adapt to any role she is given by the movie directors and producers.
Upon gaining national recognition through the aforementioned blockbuster movie, Rita gained more access to bigger film roles. She featured in many popular movies with other popular actors like Osita Iheme, Nkem Owoh, Gloria Anozie, Ngozi Ezeonu, and many others. Some of her most recent movies include “Stigma of Womanhood” (2016), “Baby Mama” (2017), and Wandering Soul (2017).
Rita Nzelu’s Movies and TV Shows include:
- Unforgiven
- Ukwa
- Pretty Serpent
- Baby mama
- Long John
- Living in bondage
- Akpu-Nku
- Buried Alive
- Women Affair
- Holy Cup
- Long John
- Agumba
- Christian Marriage
- Beyond the Altar
- A Cry for Help
- Never Comeback
- Obstacles
- Awilo Sharp Sharp
- Angel of Darkness
- Ada Mbano in London
- Ortega and His Enemies
- Terrible Sin
- Wandering Soul
- Ortega and His Enemies
- Stigma of Womanhood
For her much-committed effort to the growth of the Nigerian film industry through her acting skills, Rita has received a number of notable awards. She may have also received financial rewards that accumulated to a mouth-watering net worth.
Unfortunately, the exact amount she was paid for the blockbuster movie “Living in Bundage” and other movies she featured in have not been revealed. The awards she has so far received include:
- The best actress of the year at the City People Entertainment Awards
- Best comedy actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for the popular movie “Ukwa”.
- Most promising actress in Nigeria at the Africa movie academy awards
- Best actress in a supporting role at the African Magic viewer’s choice awards
Is Rita Nzelu Married or Single?
Rita is known to be married to a man named Simeon Okoro. They reportedly tied the knot when her acting career was in its prime. Not much is known about Simeon, but the actress revealed that she first met him in December 2003 and that he proposed to her two weeks after. They subsequently courted for a few months before proceeding with traditional marriage in March 2004.
Recently, there were rumors that the actress and her husband got divorced. Many blamed the failure of their union on Rita’s husband, who allegedly asked her to quit her acting career to focus more on the family.
Some also blamed Rita for refusing to choose her family over her career. There were also claims that Rita’s marriage fell apart because of infidelity issues. It is, however, not clear if any of the claims are true as the actress is yet to speak on the matter.
In the course of her career in Nollywood, Rita tried to stay clear of all forms of scandals. Thankfully, she succeeded. Speaking on her scandal-free life, the former actress said she has always preferred to keep her very private life away from the public and that she was happy she succeeded.
Currently, her marriage is blessed with two adorable children who are both males. Unfortunately, their names and ages cannot be ascertained.
Where is Rita Nzelu Now?
Rita Nzelu is currently based in London. The former actress left the industry in the early 2000s. She had earlier noted that her departure from the industry was to devote her time to her husband and family in other to build a lasting and better marriage. She made this choice because she believed that women should work with their husbands and agree to their course and not the other way around.
Nearly a decade after her departure from the scene reports emerged that Rita Nzelu was trying to make a comeback to the film business, but nothing much has been heard about her career since her reported return.
During the time of her rumored return, the actress was said to feature in a movie titled “international Games” written and directed by Tchidi Chikere. The film also had her playing the lead role alongside Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah.