Biography of Robert Mugabe – Age, Origin, Education and Career, Wife, Children, Net worth, Quotes and Death

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Who is Robert Mugabe?

Robert Mugabe is that Zimbabwean president who ruled for over 29  years. He was initially doing well, but later his government received a lot of criticisms as a result of corruption and human right abuse. He was the longest and oldest reigned African president.

Biography

Robert Mugabe Shona was born at Kutama Mission College in Southern Rhodesia’s Zivmba District. He was born on 21st February, 1924. His father’s name is Gabriel Matibiri while his mother’s name is Bona. His father is a Carpenter while his mother taught catechism to  school children. Robert Mugabe grow along six children. He was the third child. Within the early 1930’s, Robert Mugabe lost his two elder brothers and was now the elder most, he was later meant to take care of his siblings while his father abandoned them in search of greener Pasteur’s.

Education

Mugabe had his first Educational training by the Jesuit, a Roman Catholic Apostolic order, while in School then, Mugabe was a brilliant and highly disciplined, he took his academics very serious. His further educational programmes took place at; Kutama College, University of Forte Hare, University of London, University of South Africa, University of London International programmes. He had a total of seven degrees.

Marriage, wife and children

Robert Mugabe got married to Sally Hayfron, who comes from Ghana as his first wife in April 1961. Sally Hayfron was a trained teacher who gave birth to Robert Mugabe’s only son, Michael Nhamodzeyinka on 27 September, 1963. Their son later died on 1966 from cerebral malaria in Ghana while Sally was working while Mugabe was in prison.

Robert Mugabe started an extra marital affair with Grace Marufu who was his secretary while he was still married to Sally. It is worthy to note that Grace Marufu was still married to her husband during the time he was dating Mugabe. Their relationship produced two children ; their daughter Bona, who was born in 1988 and their son Robert, who was born in 1990. The whole extra marital affair was kept secret from Zimbabwean public although his wife was aware and decided to keep quiet.

In 1992, Hayfron died of renal failure, making way for Robert Mugabe to legally get married to Grace in 1996 in a Catholic wedding. After their wedding, Grace gave birth to Mugabe’s third child, Chatunga Bellarmine in 1997.

Political Career

Mugabe was an anti – colonist, and valued African nationalism. After he joined the protest which called for an Independent State by representatives which were majorly black, Mugabe was convicted for making anti government comments. He was imprisoned between 1964 and 1974. On his release, he ran to Mozambique and established his leadership of ZANU.

In 1975, Robert Mugabe became the leader of ZANU – means Zimbabwean African National Union, Mugabe was an anti -colonist and valued African nationalism. He was an anti – white racist who sought to deny white Zimbabweans citizenship.

He was the first prime minister of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987, and the president of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017.

Read more about the political career of Robert Mugabe

Important dates in the life of Robert Mugabe

1924: He was born on 21st February 1924.

1961: He got married to his first wife, Sally Hayfron.

1964: He was imprisoned by Rhodesian Government

1980: He won post Independence Election

1966: He lost his first son

1992: He lost his first wife, Hayfron

1996: He was legally married to his Second wife, Grace Marufu

2000: He lost Referendum, pro -Mugabe militias invade white owed farms and attacked opposition Supporters.

2008: He was the second runner up in first round of election to Tsvangirai who pulls out of run offs amid national attacks on his supporters.

2009: He became the Prime Minister of Tsvangirai, which features economic melt down, and hardship, disunity in goverment. He was there for four years.

2017: He wanted his wife, Grace to succeed him as the President of Zimbabwe but was later intervened by Army, and he stepped down.

Net worth

According to celebritynetworth.com, Mugabe worth over 20 million dollars having acquired much from his 34 years of leadership.

Death

Robert Mugabe died on September 6, 2019 after first being hospitalized in April, 2019. He died in Singapore at Woodbridge Hospital at the age of 95.

Quotes

Robert Mugabe was an intelligent man, he was noted for his many quotes which he would always be remembered for. Some popular ones are;