Chiwetel Ejiofor, a British actor, has spoken about the death of his father, Arinze, in a car accident when he was 11 years old.
The actor, who grew up in London after his family fled Nigeria during the Biafran war in the 1960s, lost his father when he and his mother returned to Nigeria for a wedding.
Ejiofor and his father were driving along the highway when a truck collided with their vehicle, injuring him and killing his father.
The actor noted in an interview with GQ Magazine published on Monday that losing a parent while one is young has an impact on how one views life.
Speaking about his experience, Ejiofor said, “When you lose a parent young, it has a profound effect on the way you view life. At an early age, you realise the value of some things and the preciousness of life itself, which is something most people acquire later on.
“Certain fears or neuroses you definitely carry. Some are justified but you do lose a lot of ideas about knowledge.”
The actor stated that he was fortunate enough to have overcome his fears.
“I have been lucky enough to break some of the fears I had – and when you do, you recognise your genuine path and personality in a richer, deeper way,” Ejiofor said.
