Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti has revealed that he warned his first wife, Funke Kuti, before their marriage that he would not remain faithful to one woman. The 64-year-old made the disclosure while discussing his former marriage and his views on relationships.
“I told her I loved women. I like women around me and I will not be faithful to one woman,” Femi said in an interview with Channels Television. He said Funke knew about his approach to relationships before they got married.
Femi linked his attitude towards monogamy to his upbringing at Kalakuta, the communal home established by his father, Fela Kuti. “Because of the way I was brought up, there is no way I can be faithful to a woman,” he said. He also cited his strong preference for independence, saying, “I love my freedom.”
Before their wedding, Femi said Funke also knew that one of his dancers was his girlfriend. He recalled telling her, “We will get married, but I will never be faithful to you,” while discussing the conditions he believed would govern their relationship.
Femi and Funke married in May 1995 and had one son, Omorinmade Kuti, popularly known as Made Kuti. Femi previously said he had not believed in marriage but chose to marry Funke because he loved her and wanted to have a child with her.
Their marriage eventually ended, with Femi later saying Funke struggled with the attention surrounding his career and the women around him. “That was why we had to part ways,” he said when explaining the breakdown of the relationship.
Despite their divorce, Femi said he and Funke remained friendly because they shared responsibility for Made Kuti. “She is the mother of my child and we are very friendly, we even call each other,” he said, adding that he had no regrets about their relationship.
