Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye was born on 22 September 1946 in Ondo State, Nigeria. Today, the world knows him as King Sunny Adé, the pioneer of modern jùjú music and one of Africa’s most enduring cultural icons. His ability to blend Yoruba rhythms with electric instruments made him a legend beyond borders, and behind his rise stood one woman whose courage and devotion defined his path, his mother, Maria Adegeye.
Maria was more than just a mother; she was a symbol of royal discipline and quiet faith. Coming from the respected Adesida dynasty of Akure, she belonged to one of the oldest Yoruba royal families. Though newspapers and admirers often referred to her as Princess Maria Adegeye, her greatness came not from a title but from the dignity with which she lived. Her calm strength and sharp mind became the foundation of her son’s character long before he ever touched a guitar.
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Royal Roots and Humble Beginnings
Maria Adegeye lived simply, even with her royal lineage. She worked as a trader in Akure and later Lagos, known for her fairness and integrity. Her husband, a church organist, brought the rhythm of faith into their home. Their modest household was always filled with music, hymns, and stories of purpose and destiny.
When her husband passed away while Sunny was just eight years old, Maria carried the entire family on her shoulders. Friends remembered her as a woman who woke before dawn to pray, cook, and head to the market. She taught her son that royalty meant service, not privilege, and reminded him that true honor came from how a person treated others.
From his earliest years, young Sunny was surrounded by both melody and discipline, a balance that later defined his career. His mother’s voice was the first he ever sang along to, and her guidance taught him patience, respect, and endurance. These lessons became invisible instruments in his music, infusing his sound with both strength and soul.
A Prince Who Wanted to Play Music
As Sunny grew older, he discovered his passion for music, joining small bands and experimenting with guitars. His mother, however, feared that the path of a musician was too uncertain for a prince. In one of his interviews, King Sunny Adé recalled her words: she told him that as a prince, people should play for him, not the other way around.
In Yoruba society at the time, musicians were often seen as entertainers who performed for the royal class. To see her royal-born son stepping into that role was unsettling for her. Yet, behind her disapproval was love. She worried that her only son might lose his heritage or face ridicule.
But Sunny Adé was determined. His heart belonged to music, and his mother’s prayers, even through her resistance, became the silent blessings that guided him. Over time, her fears softened. Though some old stories speak of a miraculous event in her garden that changed her heart, what truly changed her mind was her son’s persistence, humility, and dedication. Eventually, she embraced his calling and proudly supported him as his fame began to spread.
The Woman Who Outlived a Century
Maria Adegeye lived a long and full life. In 2010, she passed away, reported to be 112 years old. Her death was deeply felt across Nigeria, especially in Ondo and Lagos, where she was respected as the mother of a national treasure. During that week, her son canceled all birthday celebrations to honor her life, organizing traditional rites, hymns, and tributes that reflected both her faith and her royal lineage.
Those who attended her burial spoke of her as a woman who combined nobility with humility. Her faith, discipline, and quiet wisdom had helped shape one of the world’s greatest African performers. She left behind not just a famous son but a living legacy of Yoruba motherhood, graceful, steadfast, and strong.
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Her Legacy Lives On
Even years after her passing, King Sunny Adé often speaks of his mother with emotion. He describes her as his first teacher, his spiritual protector, and the reason he never lost his cultural roots despite international fame. Every time he performs songs celebrating family, respect, or Yoruba values, listeners can feel the echo of Maria Adegeye’s influence.
Her legacy is not written in books or carved in stone. It lives in the music of her son, in the culture she preserved, and in the example she left behind for mothers across generations. Maria Adegeye’s story reminds the world that behind every icon stands a hand that once guided, corrected, and blessed, a mother’s hand.
Author’s Note
Maria Adegeye’s life is a portrait of strength, patience, and faith. She never stood under stage lights, yet her influence shines brighter than any spotlight. Her story reminds us that greatness often begins quietly, in the prayers and sacrifices of mothers who believe in their children even when the world does not. Her legacy is not just in the music of King Sunny Adé but in the countless lives touched by her endurance and love.
References
“My Mother Never Bothered About Number of My Wives” — AllAfrica
“My Mom Didn’t Want Me to Play Music” — PM News Nigeria
“KSA Sacrifices Birthday for Mum’s Burial” — Vanguard News
“Talking to the King: Interview with King Sunny Adé” — Afropop.org
