Hermes Opens Up on Mother’s Abandonment and Father’s Love: A Story of Pain, Grace, and Healing

In an emotional revelation that touches on the scars many carry but few voice, former Big Brother Naija star Hermes Chibueze Iyele has spoken candidly about his mother’s abandonment and the love that kept him grounded.

Speaking on the talk show WithChude, Hermes recalled the moment his life turned upside down—when hardship hit his family like a wave. His father, once a proud UNICEF staffer, found himself jobless and behind the wheels of a commercial bus. As the money dried up, so did the comfort they once knew. The family was forced to move into an uncompleted building.

But the most painful blow wasn’t financial—it was emotional.

“My mum didn’t want to come with us, so she left that night and didn’t return for seven years,” Hermes shared, the memory still clearly fresh in his heart.

For many, this kind of story would end in bitterness. But not for Hermes.

Despite the trauma of being abandoned during one of life’s lowest points, he chooses love over hate.

“My dad raised us with love, and that’s why I still have love for my mum today,” he said.

Hermes’ story is a stark reminder of how broken systems and silent suffering can shatter families. His mother’s departure might have been driven by fear, exhaustion, or years of emotional strain—her reasons remain unclear, but her absence was undeniable. And yet, Hermes sees her not through the lens of blame, but with a quiet understanding of her humanity.

That’s rare. That’s strength.

While reflecting on his father’s financial downfall, Hermes admits he suspects mismanagement but doesn’t dwell on it. Instead, he celebrates the man who never gave up. A father who, despite his own fall from grace, held his children with love strong enough to keep their hearts from breaking entirely.

His mother passed away in November 2024. Her absence may have shaped Hermes’ pain, but her memory now rests alongside a maturity that only hardship could have forged.

Opinion:
Hermes’ story is not just one of abandonment—it’s one of resilience and healing. In a society where broken homes are often met with broken spirits, his journey shows that forgiveness is possible, that pain doesn’t have to become poison. In telling his truth, he invites others to reflect not only on the hurt they carry, but on the love that might still exist beneath the rubble.