Who Is Wole Soyinka? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Wole Soyinka was born on July 13, 1934, making him 90 years old in 2025. Soyinka is widely celebrated for his impactful contributions to literature and political commentary. He was the first African laureate to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. With a prolific body of work, his plays, essays, and poems explore themes of oppression, colonialism, and power, firmly positioning him as a leading intellectual voice in Africa and the world.
| Occupation | Philosophers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 13, 1934 |
| Age | 90 Years |
| Birth Place | Abeokuta, British Nigeria |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Nigeria |
Popularity
Wole Soyinka's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: Wole Soyinka stands at an impressive height of approximately 6 feet (183 cm).
- Weight: As a veteran, his weight is reported to be around 160 pounds (73 kg).
- Measurements: While specific body measurements are not publicly detailed, his regal demeanor and presence have always captivated audiences.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Wole Soyinka's personal life has been as tumultuous and intriguing as his literary work. Over the years, he has been married three times, with each union reflecting different phases of his life.
In 2025, there are no public indications of a current boyfriend or girlfriend, as he continues to focus on his career and philanthropic activities. His children are often part of his life narrative, as he has shared insights into his family dynamics over the years.
Born into an Anglican Yoruba family in Aké, Abeokuta, Soyinka had a preparatory education at Government College, Ibadan and proceeded to the University College Ibadan. During his education, he co-founded the Pyrate Confraternity. Soyinka left Nigeria for England to study at the University of Leeds.
During that period, he was the editor of the university's magazine, The Eagle, before becoming a full-time author in the 1950s. In the UK, he started writing short stories and making records for the BBC Lecture series. He wrote many plays which were performed on radios and in theatres in Nigeria and the UK, especially the Royal Court Theatre.
In 1958, he married a British woman whom he had met in Leeds. In 1963, after the divorce of his first wife, he married a Nigerian librarian and, subsequently, Folake Doherty in 1989.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Wole Soyinka's net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. His income primarily stems from his literary work, speaking engagements, and various awards. As a respected figure, he commands significant fees for public appearances and lectures, further enriching his financial portfolio.
Career, Business, and Investments
Wole Soyinka's career has transcended traditional boundaries, earning him recognition not only as a writer but also as a political activist. His books, notable plays such as "Death and the King's Horseman," and essays have garnered critical acclaim worldwide.
In addition to writing, Soyinka has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, contributing to cultural and educational causes, particularly in Nigeria. His investments are likely aligned with these interests, aiming to foster creative arts and education in Africa.
In 1968, the Negro Ensemble Company in New York produced Kongi's Harvest. While still imprisoned, Soyinka translated from Yoruba a fantastical novel by his compatriot D. O. Fagunwa, entitled The Forest of a Thousand Demons: A Hunter's Saga.
Social Network
Wole Soyinka remains an active voice on social media platforms where he expresses his views on current societal issues. He often uses platforms like Twitter and Facebook to engage with both fans and critics, sharing his insights into politics and culture. With a significant following reflecting his status as an intellectual giant, his online presence serves as an extension of his literary impact.
A lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ifẹ, Soyinka discussed current affairs with negrophiles and on several occasions, openly condemned government censorship. At the end of 1963, his first feature-length movie, Culture in Transition, was released. In 1965 his book, The Interpreters, was published in London by André Deutsch.
Along other professionals, Soyinka founded the Drama Association of Nigeria. In 1964 he resigned from his university post, as a protest against imposed pro-government behaviour by the authorities.
In 1965, he was arrested for the first time, charged with holding up a radio station at gunpoint, which he would later write on in his 2006 memoir, You Must Set Forth at Dawn, and replacing the tape of a recorded speech by the premier of Western Region with a different tape containing accusations of electoral malpractice.
He was released after some months of confinement, as a result of protests by the international community of writers. In the same year he wrote two more dramatic pieces; Before the Blackout and Kongi's Harvest. He also wrote The Detainee, a radio play for BBC in London.
His play The Road premiered in London at the Commonwealth Arts Festival on 14 September 1965, at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Soyinka was promoted to senior lecturer in the department of English language of the University of Lagos.
Education
Soyinka’s educational background includes studying at Universities in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly at the University of Ibadan and later at the University of Leeds, where he completed his degree in English literature. His extensive education has greatly influenced his writing and philosophical outlook on life's complexities.
In conclusion, Wole Soyinka remains a towering figure in literature and activism as we look forward to the continued influence of his work and thoughts in 2025.
Soyinka was the son of Samuel Ayodele Soyinka, an Anglican minister and headmaster at St Peter's Primary School, who was a member of the royal family of the town of Isara-Remo, and Grace Soyinka (née Jenkins-Harrison), a shopkeeper and activist, who was a member of the Ransome-Kuti family. His sister Folasade died as an infant.
