If ever there was a woman with empathy, lively character, emotion, and cheerfulness all rolled into one, it has to be Kate Henshaw. These powerful traits quickly positioned her amongst ace actors and actresses in the Nigerian movie industry. Beautiful veteran actress, Kate Henshaw, is a skilled thespian, health expert, politician, model, singer, television personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur. She belongs to the crop of Nigerian celebrities whose speaking and acting skills, as well as her charm, brought her to limelight in quick time.
And no, she is not very good at hiding her feelings. She can be quite real and down-to-earth, both in words and action. Kate Henshaw also knows how to inject attitude into her acting roles. And her incredible empathy makes several of her acting roles feel life-like; you will relate with her so quickly. She is definitely not playing. Join us as we unveil the life and achievements of veteran ace Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw. She has been serving inspiration to Nigerian youths for about three decades now.
Let’s Meet Kate Henshaw: From Childhood Into the Medical Sciences
Born in July 1971, Kate Amaka Henshaw hails from Calabar in Cross Rivers State (South-South Nigeria). She is the eldest of four children. The actress has been careful not to reveal details about her parents or family background to the media. There are also claims that Andre Blaze, a renowned media personality, is her cousin.
Kate Henshaw undertook her primary education at St. Mary Private School, Ajele, Lagos. She proceeded to Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, where she completed her secondary education. In preparation for her university education, she went though one year of remedial studies at the University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State. Thereafter, Kate Henshaw moved over to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos to study medical microbiology.
On completion, she continued her studies at the School of Medical Lab Science, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (still majoring in medical microbiology). With that qualification, she was able to secure a job at Bauchi State General Hospital thereafter.
Kate Henshaw: Her Sojourn into Nollywood
Blessed with an attractive face and physique, Kate Henshaw was able to secure modeling roles even before she started acting. She reportedly worked as a commercial model, featuring in a good number of print and television adverts back then. One of them was an advert for Shield deodorant.
The year 1993 arrived to usher Kate Henshaw into the Nigerian movie industry. The actress auditioned for the lead role in the movie When the Sun Sets, and was chosen. Her performance in the debut movie was not so striking, according to reports. But from there, she got courage to attempt other acting roles. And her stellar acting skills began to unfold. She clinched the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film Stronger than Pain at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
Kate Henshaw has featured in over 100 movies since inception. They include the following:
- Carnal Desire
- The Stolen Bible
- Games Men Play
- Dangerous Silence
- The Harlot
- Blood Sisters
- 4th Republic
- Domitilla
- Faces
- Above Death: In God We Trust
- A Million Tears
- My Little Secret
- Stronger Than Pain
- Show Me Heaven
- Aremu The Principal
- Chief Daddy
- New Money
- The Ghost and the House of Truth
- 4th Republic
- The Women
- Blood Sisters
Kate Henshaw: Awards and Honours
Kate Henshaw is a recipient of key industry awards and honours over the course of time. She was given the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian government in 2011. She also won the following industry awards (amongst others):
- Africa Movie Academy Awards (2008): Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film Stronger than Pain
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (2014): Best Actress in a Drama
- City People Movie Award (2015): Face of Nollywood
- City People Movie Award (2016): Special Recognition
- Best of Nollywood Awards (2017): Best Supporting Actress (English) for the movie The Women
- African International Film Festival Award (AFRIFF; 2019): Best Female Performance
- South Africa International Film Festival Rapid Lion Award (2020): Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Kate Henshaw: Her Endorsements and Other Media Engagements
The stellar actress has signed a number of juicy endorsements with top brands across Nigeria and internationally (both past and present). Many of them were done in her active years as an actress. They include the following:
- Brand ambassadorship for Blessing perfumes, a UK perfume brand (2012)
- Brand ambassadorship for Onga seasoning (a renowned product of Promasidor Nigeria)
- Brand ambassadorship for Samsung Mobile; alongside singer Banky W (2013)
- Brand ambassadorship for Nigerian telecom giant, Globacom
- Brand ambassadorship for Mortein (a product of Reckitt Nigeria; 2022)
- Brand ambassadorship for Technogym Nigeria (2023)
Kate Henshaw has also had the honour to be chosen as a judge in notable television reality shows and media events. In the 2012 edition of Nigeria Got Talent, both she and popular On-Air Personality, Dan Foster were chosen as judges. That was just one of several appearances on the same reality show.
She has also been a judge on another famous reality TV show, The Voice Nigeria. Again in 2019, Kate Henshaw was among the 50 judges that oversaw the CBS International Talent Show named The World’s Best. In 2023, she was chosen as one of the judges for the 12th Edition of the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF).
Kate Henshaw: Net Worth (2024)
The talented actress is estimated to have a net worth of between 1.5 million and 3.5 million US Dollars (as of 2024).
Kate Henshaw and Politics
The sultry actress indicated her interest to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal constituency in the Federal House of Representatives in July 2014. She contested under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); and went ahead to open a campaign website.
However, Kate Henshaw lost Rt. Hon Essien Ayi in the primary election. But in December 2015, she was appointed as Special Adviser, Liaison Lagos by Ben Ayade, the then governor of Cross Rivers State.
Kate Henshaw’s Personal Life
Kate Henshaw got married to the Managing Director of Ledrop Nigeria Limited, Roderick James-Nuttal (a Briton) in 1999. They had a daughter named Gabrielle. However, their marriage was dissolved in 2011 due to what she termed ‘irreconcilable disagreements’. Roderick moved on to remarry. But Kate remains single.
Kate Henshaw is also a health freak who does not joke with her workouts or diet. She willingly displays her workout sessions on social media.
Kate Henshaw: Acts of Philanthropy
The ace actress contributes to social responsibility and acts of charity from time to time. There was the notable case of Michael Alvez, a 2-year old boy born with an ulcerous tumour on his face. Someone tagged Kate Henshaw about the case on the X app in 2016, which got her interested.
Along with other concerned citizens, Kate joined to contribute 8 million Naira towards the boy’s medical treatment. However, the boy’s family rejected the donation for their own reasons.
