This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
Robert Mugabe's Family: The Lives of Those Left Behind ¶
Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's passing has left a void in the lives of his family members, who are now facing the harsh realities of life without their patriarch.
At the center of the family is Grace Mugabe, Robert's second wife, whom he married in 1996. Born on July 23 in Benoni, South Africa, to migrant parents, Grace is the fourth of five children. Her father stayed in South Africa to work and support his family, who had moved to Rhodesia.
Before marrying Robert, Grace was married to an air force pilot, Stanley Goreraza, with whom she had a son, Russell Goreraza. At the time of their wedding, Grace was 31, and Robert was 72, according to Wikipedia.
Two years after tying the knot, Grace gave birth to their third child, Chatunga Berlamine Mugabe.
Robert's first child, Michael Nhamodzenyika Mugabe, was born on September 27, 1966, to Robert and his first wife, Sally Hayfron. However, Michael passed away at the age of three in Ghana due to malaria, as reported by The South African.
Robert's only daughter, Bona Mugabe, is 31 years old and has a child of her own with her husband, Simba Chikore. Their 2014 wedding at Robert's Harare mansion cost a reported $4.49 million, which is approximately KSh 466,196,700.
Robert's eldest living son, Robert Mugabe Jr, is reportedly a fashion designer. According to a report by News 24 in 2018, Mugabe Jr drew inspiration for his designs from his mother.
Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, Robert's youngest son, was born in 1997. He has been criticized by Zimbabweans for his partying lifestyle in South Africa. The 22-year-old reportedly owned a butchery business, which News24 reported he was at risk of losing in 2018.
As the family navigates life without Robert, they face both scrutiny and criticism. However, it is clear that they are a complex and multifaceted group, each with their own unique experiences and challenges.
