First Lady of Zambia
Incumbent
Mutinta Hichilema
since 24 August 2021
Inaugural holderBetty Kaunda
Formation24 October 1964
Politics of Zambia
Constitution
Government
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
National symbols
flag Zambia portal

First Lady of Zambia is the title attributed to the wife of the president of Zambia. Zambia's current first lady is Mutinta Hichilema, who has held the office since 24 August 2021.

The first lady of Zambia plays the ceremonial role of the spouse of the head of state, but has often expanded their influence beyond that. For example, the wife of the country's founding president, Betty Kaunda, was viewed as the mother of the nation and known as "Mama Kaunda."[1] Maureen Mwanawasa used her platform as First Lady to be a strong advocate for safer sex for women, often handing out condoms at public events.[2]

List of first ladies

Acting First Lady

  Denotes Acting First Lady

Other's

  Denotes the first lady married the President but died in office
  Denotes the first lady married the President but later divorced
  Denotes the first lady married the President but the President later died
  Denotes the first lady was a daughter or sister of the sitting President

List of officeholder

Pres.

No.

Image Born/Died First Lady Term start Term end President

(Spouse, unless noted)

1 (1928–2013) Betty Kaunda[3] 24 October 1964[3] 2 November 1991[3] Kenneth Kaunda
m. 1946; died 2013
2 (1951–) Vera Tembo 2 November 1991 2000

(divorced in 2001)[4]

Frederick Chiluba
m. ????; div 2001
No First Lady office Vacant Vera Tembo[5] is divorce in 2001 but she is outpower as first lady of Zambia in 2000s. 2000 2001
- Verocia Chiluba 2001 2 January 2002 Frederick Chiluba
Daughter
3 (1964–) Maureen Mwanawasa 2 January 2002 19 August 2008 Levy Mwanawasa
m. 1988; his death 2008
4 (1972–) Thandiwe Banda[6] 29 June 2008 23 September 2011 Rupiah Banda
m. 2002; his death 2022
5 (1959–) Christine Kaseba 23 September 2011 28 October 2014 Michael Sata
m. 1994; his death 2014
- (1963–) Charlotte Scott 28 October 2014 26 January 2015 Guy Scott
m. 1994
6 (1961–) Esther Lungu 26 January 2015 24 August 2021 Edgar Lungu
m. 1986-87
7 (1967–) Mutinta Hichilema 24 August 2021 Incumbent Hakainde Hichilema
m. ????


List of Living First Lady of Zambia

List of Spouse of president but not the first lady

Press.

No.

Image Born/Died Name President

(Spouse, unlles noted)

2 (___?-2017) Regina Mwanza Fredrick Chiluba
m. 2002; his death 2011
4 (1941-2000) Hope Mwansa Makulu Rupiah Banda
m. 1966; died 2000
5 (___?-___?) Margaret Manda Michael Sata
m. ????; died ????

See also

References

  1. ^ James Butty, VOA staff writer (September 20, 2012). "Zambians Mourn Death of Former First Lady Betty Kaunda". VOA. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  2. ^ Violet Mengo, writer for the Daily Mail in Zambia and member of the Gender and Media Southern African (GEMSA) Network. (November 5, 2005). "Zambian First Lady urges women to demand safe sex". AFROL News. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Udoh, Nse (2012-09-19). "Founding First Lady Betty Kaunda Passes Away at 84". Zambia Reports. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  4. ^ Simwanza, Obert (2011-06-18). "Zambia's ex-president Chiluba dies". Independent Online (South Africa). Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  5. ^ Simwanza, Obert (2011-06-18). "Zambia's ex-president Chiluba dies". Independent Online (South Africa). Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  6. ^ Warunga, Joseph (2010-05-17). "Meeting the first ladies of Africa". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
Categories