Maureen Mwanawasa (April 28, 1963 – August 13, 2024) was a Zambian politician and former First Lady of Zambia from 2002 until 2008. She was also the widow of former President Levy Mwanawasa, who died in office in 2008. She was the past president of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS and founder of the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) in 2002.
Political career
As early as 2006, Mwanawasa was seen as a potential candidate for president of the country,[1] but following her husband's death she did not file as a potential candidate to represent her husband's party in the election.
In May 2016, Mwanawasa announced she was going to contest in the 2016 general election for the sit of Mayor of Lusaka under the United Party for National Development (UPND).[2]
She however lost to the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate, Wilson Kalumba.[2] Kalumba won the election with 270,161 votes, while Mwanawasa came in second place with 150,807 votes.
Death
Mwanawasa died of a short-illness at a hospital in Lusaka, Zambia on August 13, 2024 at the age of 61.[3]
References
