Extravagant spending and rapid political ascent defined the two decades Grace Mugabe served as the First Lady of Zimbabwe. Born in 1965 in Benoni, South Africa, she transitioned from a presidential secretary to the head of the powerful ZANU-PF Women’s League, wielding significant influence over state policy and internal party succession battles until her 2017 expulsion.
Early Life and Marriage
Grace Ntombizodwa Marufu spent her early childhood in South Africa before moving to Chivhu, Rhodesia, in 1970. She initially worked as a secretary to President Robert Mugabe while married to air force pilot Stanley Goreraza. Following the death of the president’s first wife, Sally Hayfron, she married Robert Mugabe in a high-profile Catholic ceremony in 1996. The couple eventually had three children: Bona, Robert Peter Jr., and Chatunga Berlamine.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Rise within ZANU-PF
Her political prominence surged in 2014 when she spearheaded the campaign against Vice-President Joice Mujuru, who was accused of plotting against the president. In December 2014, party delegates appointed her as the leader of the Women’s League, securing her a seat on the ZANU-PF Politburo. By 2016, she emerged as the central figure of the Generation 40 faction, positioning herself as a key power broker in the national succession debate.
Political Conflict and Ouster
Tensions peaked in 2017 during a public rivalry with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa. After she successfully pushed for his dismissal in November 2017, the military intervened in a coup. This shift in power resulted in her immediate expulsion from ZANU-PF alongside twenty associates. Following the resignation of her husband, she remained out of the public eye until his death in Singapore in 2019.
Asset Acquisition and Controversy
Her public image was frequently marked by reports of immense wealth, leading to the nickname 'Gucci Grace.' During her time in office, she oversaw the construction of two expansive estates and acquired various properties in Malaysia and Hong Kong, including a diamond business. Due to her role in the national leadership, she was placed under travel bans and asset freezes by the European Union and the United States.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Benoni
- First Lady of Zimbabwe: 1996–2017
- Education: University of Zimbabwe and Renmin University of China
- Party: ZANU-PF
- Children: Russell Goreraza, Bona, Robert Peter Jr., Chatunga Berlamine
- Nickname: Gucci Grace
- 2014 Recognition: Listed in Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine
Questions readers ask
Did Grace Mugabe complete her studies in China?
Yes, she enrolled at Renmin University of China in 2007 and graduated in 2011, although she later admitted she was not proficient in the Chinese language.
Why were international sanctions imposed on her?
The European Union and the United States imposed sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, due to her involvement in the leadership during controversial election periods and governance concerns.
Achievements
- First Lady of Zimbabwe (1996–2017)
- Educated at University of Zimbabwe and Renmin University of China
