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Veteran actors Norbert Young and Gloria
Veteran actors Norbert Young and Gloria have shared their experience of struggling with childlessness for seven years.
Speaking in an interview on Love Notes with Tope, Gloria opened up about the emotional toll it took on her, while Norbert revealed that he never saw it as a challenge.
Norbert recalled how his sister faced a similar situation, waiting 16 years for a child, and praised her husband for standing by her. He emphasized that their struggle with childlessness never threatened their marriage.
When asked about the challenges in their relationship, Gloria simply responded, *“I was childless for seven years, Norbert.”
Norbert said: “I didn’t see it as a challenge, you see, because I kept telling her, ‘What are you worried about? What is it? Be calming down.
“How can I see it as a challenge? I had a sister who was married for 16 years without a child, and on the 17th year, she had a child.
“Her husband never told her to leave. That child today is a medical doctor—a big man too. So what’s the big deal? It didn’t threaten our union at all.”
Gloria said: “He never did. But I was the one feeling it, and I was the one seeing things. And he was the one telling me, ‘What is it? Stop worrying about such things.’”
Norbert confirmed her anxiety, saying, “She was anxious about it—being childless for that long. Like I said, it wasn’t a challenge for me, but it was for her. As a couple, it was challenging, but personally, I didn’t see it that way.”
Gloria, however, shared her anxiety and the societal pressure she faced, particularly from relatives who would stare at her stomach during family gatherings, silently inquiring about her childlessness.
“I would go to my own family gatherings, and not asking per se, but imagine you’re walking into the room, and one aunty looks at you—makes sure that you know she’s looking at you—then her eyes go down to your stomach.
“And as you walk away, her eyes are still there. What is she telling you? Like, ‘How far na? E don tey oh! E don pass one, two, three…’ Without saying a word. Oh, I had that kind of auntie.” (The Nation)