Monalisa Chinda opens up about grief after her brother’s death, encouraging others to be gentle with themselves as they navigate difficult moments

Nollywood actress Monalisa Chinda reflected on her ongoing grief in Lagos on Monday, August 17, 2026, revealing that she is still healing from the death of her younger brother, who died on February 12, one day before her daughter’s 18th birthday.

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Chinda shared the deeply personal reflection on Instagram while offering words of comfort to people dealing with loss, emotional exhaustion or other difficult circumstances.

The actress described the experience as a painful chapter for her small family, but said faith had helped them through the difficult period.

“Still healing… It took me a while to heal from my youngest brother passing (12th Feb), just a day before my daughter’s 18th birthday (13th Feb),” Chinda wrote.

She said the experience had reminded her that grief does not follow a fixed timetable and that people going through painful seasons should not feel pressured to have everything figured out immediately.

“Please be gentle with yourself. You don’t have to have everything figured out today. You’re allowed to feel tired. You’re allowed to take a step back,” she said.

Chinda also acknowledged that some days may simply be about getting through the moment, encouraging people experiencing emotional pain to give themselves room to breathe and recover.

Her message comes after a difficult period for the actress and her family. In March 2025, Chinda publicly announced the death of her mother, Dame Comfort Franca Chinda, whom she described as a deeply devoted and loving figure in the family.

The actress has previously spoken publicly about personal and social challenges, including the pressures facing Nigerians and the difficulties experienced by people within the entertainment industry.

Chinda’s latest message was less about offering answers and more about acknowledging the reality of grief.

Rather than presenting healing as a quick process, she encouraged people to accept difficult emotions while continuing to move forward at their own pace.

“Whatever feels heavy right now won’t always feel this heavy. Keep going, one day, one moment, one breath at a time,” she wrote.

The actress concluded with a reassuring reminder that a painful period does not define an entire life.

“You are not behind. You are not alone. And this chapter is not the whole story.”

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For Chinda, the reflection offers a quiet but powerful account of recovery, showing how personal loss can continue to shape a family long after the immediate shock has passed.