Nurse Judy reveals how her father dying of HIV caused their family to lose wealth

Nurse Judy has opened up about her early life, recounting how her family went from relative comfort to hardship following financial loss and the death of her father.

In a statement shared on April 19, 2026, she reflected on her childhood, describing a period when her family was doing well before circumstances took a drastic turn.

“Growing up, we were kinda rich, at least for that era,” she said.

Sudden loss and tragedy

Nurse Judy explained that the shift happened when she was still very young, between the ages of one and four. During that time, her father lost the family’s wealth, plunging them into financial instability.

The situation worsened when they lost him in 1998 to HIV, a time when the disease carried significant fear and stigma, and treatment options were limited.

“Dad akacheza vibaya and we lost everything… then we lost him too in 1998 to HIV,” she recalled, noting how difficult that period was for the family.

Life after her father’s death

Following the loss, she said life became increasingly difficult. Basic needs such as food and school fees were no longer guaranteed, forcing the family to rely on small forms of support to get by.

“From there, life went downhill,” she said.

She remembered moments when they depended on neighbours for essentials like breakfast, highlighting how drastically their circumstances had changed.

A mother’s resilience

Despite the challenges, Nurse Judy credited her mother for holding the family together during that period. She described her as a pillar of strength who worked tirelessly to ensure her children stayed in school.

“My mom? A real-life superhero. She did everything she could to see us through school,” she said.

Making do with little

She also reflected on the simple meals they relied on during that time, noting that while resources were limited, they made the best of what was available to survive.

Through her story, Nurse Judy offers a glimpse into a childhood shaped by loss, resilience, and the determination of a parent to keep her family going despite overwhelming challenges.