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Former Zambian first lady Maureen Mwanawasa has died at the age of 61.
Her family said she died on Tuesday evening after a brief illness at a hospital in the capital, Lusaka.
The former first lady was married to the country’s third president, Levy Mwanawasa, who served from 2002 until his death in 2008.
President Hakainde Hichilema Describing her death It’s called “depth shock”.
Ms. Mwanawasa is a former lawyer who advocates for social justice, community development and public health issues.
Before her husband entered politics, she co-ran a law firm with him and was actively involved in his successful 2001 presidential campaign.
Before her husband’s death in 2008, she was considered a potential candidate to succeed him, but after his death, she did not seek the position.
In 2016, Mwanawasa ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Lusaka.
It is unclear whether she was a member of any political party before her death.
She is a founding member and former president of African First Ladies Fighting AIDS (now known as African First Ladies for Development).
Her community development efforts have won her several awards, including the 2006 International Hope Award from World Vision.
“May her hard work, kindness, compassion and dedication to the country continue to inspire us,” said Nevers Sekwila Mumba, leader of Mwanawasa’s Multiparty Movement for Democracy (MMD) party and current opposition leader.
In a statement, President Hichilema called on the country to unite and “pray with her family and the people of the country.”
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