“She Left When Life Got Hard, Came Back After Seven Years” – BBNaija’s Hermes Opens Up About His Mother’s Absence
Former Big Brother Naija housemate and performance artist, Hermes Iyele, is no stranger to vulnerability. In a recent conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Hermes opened up about his deeply personal journey—one shaped by financial hardship, family separation, and emotional resilience.
Reflecting on his childhood, Hermes described how his family’s once-comfortable life took a sudden and painful turn. His father, who had previously worked for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and traveled extensively, saw his fortunes reversed. Financial decline eventually pushed him from a prestigious international role into life as a local bus driver.
“I don’t know why he went broke—probably mismanagement of funds,” Hermes said during the interview. “But I don’t know the full story, and that’s what led to my mum leaving.”
The transition was harsh. When the family had to move into an uncompleted building to survive, Hermes recalled how his mother found it too difficult to bear. She made the decision to walk away—and didn’t return for seven years.
“She said she couldn’t move in with us, so she left that night. We were pretty young when she left. Things had gotten hard, and she couldn’t cope,” he said.
“She Left When Life Got Hard, Came Back After Seven Years” – BBNaija’s Hermes Opens Up About His Mother’s Absence
Despite the abandonment, Hermes has chosen not to hold bitterness toward her. Instead, he credits his father for keeping the family grounded with love and grace, even in the most difficult times.
“My father raised us with so much love and did it quite well,” he shared. “The way he taught us about love is why I still have love for my mum, regardless of what happened.”
Hermes also offered a mature perspective on the dynamics between his parents, noting that theirs was not a happy marriage. He suggested that his mother might have done what she thought was best for her at the time.
“I can’t fault her for that,” he said.
Hermes has spoken in the past about his mother’s absence. Sadly, she reportedly passed away in November 2024.
His story is a reminder of the quiet strength required to heal from childhood trauma—and the power of love and forgiveness in finding peace with the past.
