Theresa Onuorah (born on 9th January 1942; Age: 82 years old) is a Nigerian highlife and traditional musician, dancer, and composer famous for being the founder of the dance troop Egedege Dance Group.
Theresa recently launched a different height of public recognition for two reasons. For one, for featuring in Larry Gaga’s hit song, Egedege, and again, after Speed Darlington revealed that she is her mother. The latter is a US-based Nigerian musician, songwriter, and dancer. Here, you’ll know everything about the music goddess, including how she had Speed Darlington and with whom she had him.
Theresa Onuorah’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Theresa Chizeberum Onuorah
- Nickname: Queen of Culture
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 9th January 1942
- Theresa Onuorah’s Age: 82 years old
- Ethnicity: Igbo
- Nationality: Nigeria
- Zodiac Sign: Capricon
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- Theresa Onuorah’s Husband: Godwin Igboebisi
- Theresa Onuorah’s Children: Speed Darlington and others
- Theresa Onuorah’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 11 inches
- Famous for: Musician, founder of Egedege Dance Group
- Theresa Onuorah’s Net worth: $25,000
- Theresa Onuorah’s Instagram: @officialqueentheresaonuorah
How Old Is Theresa Onuorah?
Theresa was born long before the Nigerian civil war, on 9th January 1942, to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Onuoha. She is currently 82 years old. Records have it that her father was a local “egwu ekpili” musician in his early days.
To mark her 80th birthday in January 2022, Theresa threw a lavish birthday party at Hollywood Event Center, Awka, Anambra State. It made a very big party in which several celebrities and dignitaries from other walks of life graced.
Theresa Onuorah Is From Which State?
The long-established cultural musician originally hails from Unubi, a town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Southeast region of Nigeria. Unubi shares common boundaries with the towns; Amichi, Azigbo, Ekwulumili, and Osumenyi, all located in Nnewi South LGA.
This is also where she was born and received her basic education. The thespian once revealed that due to the passion she had for music at a very early stage, she couldn’t further her education because she was touring the eastern parts of the country.
Theresa Onuarah Started Singing at a Very Young Age
She grew a passion for music at a tender age and would sometimes join her father’s music group in their performances, and from there, she began to achieve fame in his village. Subsequently, in her 30s, she formed the dance group, Egedege.
Theresa Onuorah founded Egedege dance in 1985 and reigned in the 1980s and 90s with the music melody when her dance group was very popular for making any type of ceremony colorful. At that time, her dance group was not comparable with anyone else.
It was majorly based in her hometown in Unubi, but they also traveled to locations each time they were needed. The music queen derived the name Egedege from local slang for bravery and richness. According to her, the name explains why the dance is a cultural classic and is only played in traditional settings, royal homes, or rich families.
Always beaming with smiles as she dances, the queen has her special outfit, unlike her dancers in the group. She wears stylishly made clothes with extravagant colors and glitter, with costumes made of small mirrors (akupe egwu). Theresa’s music can be classified as highlife music but is unique for her ogene melody, the stylish egedege dance, and the ancient melodious voice.
Egedege music is a unique form of dance that combines various embellishments of beats and highlife sounds. Simply, it is a traditional ogene dance with unique attires and dance steps. The sound is known for its use of Oja (flute), ekwe, and udu (drums).
Some of her hit albums which are still evergreen to date include Ogene Ekwubego mu na onye ga-agba egbu. onwunwa mu na chimo, onwunwa, Ebelebe egbuonu o, Ana ekwu ana eme emendi egwu na-enye ekele n’obodo, Oba egwu, etc.
She Launched a Higher Level of Fame After Featuring in Larry Gaga’s Song
Meanwhile, Theresa became less heard of as contemporary music genres started taking over the industry. However, she did not relent in working hard to maintain relevance in the music world. In October 2021, Theresa Onuorah reemerged in the music scene and became the talk of the town. Alongside Flavour N’abania and Phyno, she was featured in Egedege by Larry Gaga.
Because of Theresa Onuorah’s contribution to making the Egedege dance and music famous in Igbo land, Larry Gaga decided to feature her in his newest single titled Egedege. In the song, Theresa delivered a chorus that blended Phyno’s rap in the Igbo language and Mr. Flavour’s melodic singing. The music video was very colorful and displayed the beautiful culture of the Igbo people and gained massive reception from Igbo traditional music lovers.
Is Theresa Onuorah Married?
One of the most common questions on the internet about Theresa Onuorah is if she is married, and if yes, who the man is. Well, Theresa Onuroah is a happily married woman even though many people are not in the know.
The ace traditional singer is married to his husband, who is identified as Mr. Godwin Igboebisi. Details of their wedding ceremony and when it happened are not public knowledge. But records had it that they have been married for more than 30 years.
Also, there is no public information about the man. Also, from all indications, it seems the musician is intentional about not bringing her marriage and family life to the public eye; hence, it is a herculean task to lay hands on any tangible information in this regard.
Who Are Theresa Onuorah’s Children?
From records, Theresa Onuorah has many children, and they are all grown up. One of her children that is well known is Speed Darlington, a US-based singer, and social media personality.
Via his Instagram page, Speed announced that Theresa Onuorah is his biological mother. He made this revelation in a bid to tell his fans and the general public that music runs in his blood. However, Speed also revealed that Theresa’s husband, Godwin Igboebisi is not his father.
Before she got married, Theresa Onuorah previously had a relationship with Chief Pericoma Mezuo Okoye, a Nigerian singer, and traditionist. Hence, Speed Darlington was birthed.
Is Theresa Onuorah Still Alive?
Yes! Theresa Onuorah is still alive, hale, and healthy. The musician currently lives in her hometown in Unabi Anambra State. She was reportedly spotted in 2020 on stage performing at Nnamdi Azikiwe University at Rev. Fr. Prof. Bona Umeogu’s Inaugural Lecture.
Also, recall that she celebrated her 80th birthday just recently, in 2022. The legendary singer is only scarcely seen and does not accept all invites.