Stella Damasus is a Nigerian actress and singer who has remained one of the recognizable faces of Nollywood for decades.
Born on April 24, 1978, in Benin City, Edo State, she built her career across acting and music and became particularly popular for her performances in emotionally demanding Nigerian films.
Her journey into entertainment began with music before she moved into acting. Her breakthrough came with Breaking Point, which established her as a major Nollywood actress.
She later appeared in more than 70 films and earned several award nominations and wins, including recognition from the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Golden Icons Academy Awards.
Beyond acting, Stella Damasus has also worked in radio and podcasting and has been involved in film production and other creative projects.
She is also known for using her public platform to speak about issues affecting women and young girls.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Stella Damasus
- Stage Name: Stella Damasus
- Date of Birth: April 24, 1978
- Current Age: 48 years old
- Place of Birth: Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
- Local Government Area (LGA): Not publicly disclosed
- State of Origin: Public sources associate her with Delta State, while she was born in Edo State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Tribe/Ethnicity: Not reliably disclosed in the primary sources
- Occupation: Actress, Singer
- Years Active: 1992–present
- Religion: Not publicly confirmed in the available primary sources
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Children: Two daughters
Early Life and Education
Stella Damasus was born on April 24, 1978, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Although her birth took place in Benin City, her Wikipedia profile also identifies her as being from Asaba, Delta State.
She grew up in Benin City and completed most of her primary education there. Stella has four sisters, making her part of a family with several children.
Details about her parents and their occupations have not been consistently documented in reliable primary sources, so it is better not to attach unverified claims to her family background.
Her interest in the performing arts developed early, particularly through music. She eventually moved to Lagos, where she began building practical experience in the entertainment industry.
For her university education, Stella attended the University of Lagos, where she studied Theatre Arts.
Her academic background became useful when she transitioned fully into acting, giving her formal training that complemented the experience she gained through professional entertainment work.
Career
Before becoming famous as an actress, Stella Damasus started her professional entertainment career as a singer in Lagos. She worked as a studio session singer at Klink Studios, a facility associated with filmmaker Kingsley Ogoro.
Her work at the studio allowed her to develop her vocal skills and participate in radio and television jingles.
This experience introduced her to the Nigerian entertainment industry and helped prepare her for the acting career that would later make her a household name.
Acting Breakthrough
Stella made her first appearance in a Nigerian film with Abused in 1992. However, her major breakthrough came with Breaking Point, produced by Emem Isong and directed by Francis Agu.
The success of Breaking Point changed her career significantly. She became widely recognized across Nigeria and established herself as one of the leading actresses of her generation.
During the 2000s, she appeared in numerous Nollywood productions and worked alongside some of the industry’s most prominent actors.
Her filmography from this period includes Real Love, Dangerous Twins, Behind Closed Doors, The Widow, Games Women Play, Missing Angel, Yankee Girls and several others.
Her performances often involved complicated family relationships, romance, betrayal and emotional conflict, helping her develop a reputation as a dramatic actress.
Awards and Career Milestones
Stella’s work eventually attracted recognition from major African film award organizations. She received an Africa Movie Academy Awards nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Behind Closed Doors in 2006.
She was nominated again in the same category for Widow in 2008 and State of the Heart in 2009.
In 2007, she won Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. She later won Best Actress at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards in Houston, Texas, for her performance in Two Brides and a Baby in 2012.
Stella has also expanded beyond acting. She has worked as a producer and co-produced and co-wrote the short film When Is It Enough in 2014.
She also became involved in radio and podcasting, including co-founding I2radio and hosting Undiluted with Stella Damasus and When Women Praise.
Her later screen credits include Between, Gone, Akwụna, Stay, The Scar and To Kill a Monkey. She also appeared in the animated Nigerian-inspired series Iyanu, voicing Mama Sewa.
Movies
Stella Damasus has appeared in many Nigerian and international film projects. Some notable titles from her career include:
- Abused (1992)
- Rattlesnake (1995)
- Face of a Liar (1999)
- Real Love (2003)
- When God Says Yes (2003)
- Never Say Goodbye (2003)
- The Intruder (2003)
- Dangerous Twins (2004)
- Missing Angel (2004)
- Games Women Play (2005)
- Behind Closed Doors (2005)
- The Widow (2005)
- Yankee Girls (2008)
- Two Brides and a Baby (2011)
- To Rise Again (2014)
- When Is It Enough (2014)
- Affairs of the Heart (2016)
- Between (2018)
- Gone (2021)
- Akwụna (2022)
- Stay (2022)
- The Scar (2023)
- To Kill a Monkey (2025)
These titles represent only part of her filmography, as Wikipedia records her as having appeared in more than 70 movies.
Awards and Recognition
Stella Damasus has received several important nominations and awards during her career.
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards – Best Actress: Winner, 2007
- Africa Movie Academy Awards – Best Actress in a Leading Role: Nominee for Behind Closed Doors, 2006
- Africa Movie Academy Awards – Best Actress in a Leading Role: Nominee for Widow, 2008
- Africa Movie Academy Awards – Best Actress in a Leading Role: Nominee for State of the Heart, 2009
- Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards – Best Actress: Winner for Two Brides and a Baby, 2012
- Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival – Best Actress Short Film: Winner for Akwuna, 2022
In 2025, she also won Best Actress in a Feature at the British Urban Film Festival Awards for Water Girl.
Personal Life
Stella Damasus has had a much-publicized personal life, particularly because of her marriages.
She married her first husband, Jaiye Aboderin, in 1999 when she was 21. The couple had two daughters. Jaiye Aboderin died suddenly in 2004, leaving Stella a widow at a relatively young age.
In 2007, she married Emeka Nzeribe. The marriage lasted approximately seven months before the couple agreed to divorce.
Stella later became associated with filmmaker Daniel Ademinokan. Their relationship attracted considerable public attention, and they eventually married. The marriage ended in separation in 2020 and was followed by divorce.
She has two daughters from her first marriage. Stella has generally kept details about her children and family life relatively private, although aspects of her family have occasionally appeared in public discussions.
Outside her personal relationships, Stella has also been involved in advocacy and initiatives focused on women and young girls. Her work has extended beyond entertainment into education, mentorship and social causes.
Net Worth
There is no reliable, officially confirmed figure for Stella Damasus’ net worth. Various entertainment websites have published estimates of her wealth, often based on her long career in Nollywood, music, production and other business activities.
However, these figures differ considerably and are not supported by publicly available financial records.
For that reason, Stella Damasus’ exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Any specific dollar or naira figure should therefore be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed amount.