For many Kenyans, Sophia Muhia is best known for her beloved role as Maria in the popular Citizen TV drama Mother in Law. On screen, she brings laughter and emotion to viewers every week. Behind the cameras, however, the actress has endured a series of personal battles that tested her strength and resilience.
In a recent interview, Sophia opened up about the heartbreaking collapse of her 16-year marriage, revealing how a joyful moment in her life unexpectedly marked the beginning of the end of her relationship.
The actress disclosed that she got married at the young age of 19 and welcomed her first child when she was 21. Three years later, she gave birth to her second child. Life appeared stable until she became pregnant with her third child at the age of 33.
According to Sophia, her husband’s behaviour changed dramatically after learning about the pregnancy. What should have been a moment of celebration instead became a source of conflict and confusion.
“When I got pregnant with my last-born, my husband started acting differently. He told me to raise the child with whoever had advised me to have a third baby,” she recalled.
Sophia initially believed the issue stemmed from the nine-year age gap between their second and third children. She hoped that with time, her husband would come around and embrace the new addition to the family.
Unfortunately, that never happened.
Instead, her husband walked away, leaving her to face the challenges of motherhood alone. Suddenly, Sophia found herself raising three children as a single mother while trying to rebuild her life from scratch.
As if the emotional pain of the separation was not enough, financial difficulties soon followed. The actress revealed that she lost her home in Nairobi’s Komarock Estate after struggling with mounting debts. The loss forced her to start over at a time when she was already dealing with the emotional weight of a broken marriage.
Then came the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought even more uncertainty.
Like many entertainers, Sophia depended heavily on public events, social gatherings, weddings and corporate functions for income. Government restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus brought those opportunities to an abrupt halt.
“As entertainers, we depend on gatherings and events for jobs. For a long time, I found myself staying at home without work,” she explained.
The situation became even more frustrating when plans to resume filming Mother in Law were shelved due to another wave of Covid-19 infections. Sophia explained that television production involves numerous crew members, making it difficult to comply with restrictions on gatherings.
Beyond her own struggles, the actress also expressed concern about the rising unemployment rate in Kenya. She revealed that even her children, despite their efforts, were facing challenges securing meaningful employment.
Despite the setbacks, Sophia’s story remains one of courage, determination and resilience. Through heartbreak, financial hardship and an unprecedented global crisis, she has continued to push forward, inspiring many Kenyans with her ability to rise above life’s toughest challenges.
Today, her journey serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, perseverance can pave the way for new beginnings.
