Annie Muluzi | |
Image Name: | AnnieMuluzi.jpg |
Office: | First Lady of Malawi |
Term Label: | In role |
Term Start: | 24 May 1994 |
Term End: | 1999 |
President: | Bakili Muluzi |
Predecessor: | Cecilia Kadzamira |
Successor: | Patricia Shanil Muluzi |
Birth Date: | 18 March 1952 |
Birth Place: | Nyasaland |
Birthname: | Annie Chidzira Muluzi |
Death Place: | Nairobi, Kenya |
Nationality: | Malawian |
Party: | United Democratic Front (Malawi) |
Spouse: | Bakili Muluzi (?–1999; divorced) |
Children: | Atupele Muluzi Esme Atweni Muluzi Malisita (deceased) |
Annie Chidzira Muluzi (18 March 1952 – 28 December 2021)[1] was First Lady of Malawi and then-wife of Bakili Muluzi.[2] As first lady she was the founder of the Freedom Foundation Trust. She died on 28 December 2021 in Nairobi Kenya.[3]
Muluzi had two children from her marriage with Bakili Muluzi, namely Austin Atupele Muluzi[4] and Esmie Atweni Muluzi Malisita. The couple lived in a polygamous marriage arrangement as practiced by Islamic custom and Muluzi was also married to Patricia Shanil Muluzi from 1989.[5] On 15 March 1999, Muluzi announced officially the separation from her after 30 years of marriage. He then remarried Patricia Shanil Muluzi in a formal ceremony to mark her new position as the official first lady. Up until their separation in March 1999, Muluzi lived with Anne in the State House in Blantyre.[6] Muluzi's second wife, Patricia Muluzi, resided at another of Muluzi's official residences in the former colonial capital of Zomba.[7]
Her first born daughter, Esme Atweni Muluzi Malisita, died after lightning struck her on December 12, 2016. She was pronounced dead at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital.[8] Annie Muluzi died from cancer on 28 December 2021.[9]