Esther Lungu | |
---|---|
6th First Lady of Zambia | |
In role 25 January 2015 – 24 August 2021 | |
President | Edgar Lungu |
Preceded by | Charlotte Scott |
Succeeded by | Mutinta Hichilema |
Personal details | |
Born | 2 June 1957 |
Political party | Patriotic Front |
Spouse | Edgar Lungu |
Children | 6 |
Esther Nyawa Lungu (born 2 June 1957[1]) is a well-known public figure from Zambia, who served as the First Lady of the country from 25 January 2015 to 24 August 2021.[2] She is the wife of the former Zambian president Edgar Lungu, and together they have six children. Born on 2 June 1957, her parents originally hailed from Zambia's Eastern Province.
While she was raised Catholic, Esther Nyawa Lungu and her husband are currently practicing Baptists. In 2015,[3] she travelled to the United States to participate in a series of events, including the First Ladies' and women's summits at the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas, and the United Nations in New York City. At the Invest in Women conference in Dallas, Esther Nyawa Lungu was a distinguished panellist, with the session being moderated by Cherie Blair.[2]
During her tenure as the First Lady of Zambia, Esther Nyawa Lungu was an advocate against child marriage. In December 2015, she established the Esther Lungu Foundation, where she serves as the chairman and mentor. The foundation's primary objective is to empower women and children in Zambia.[4] In May 2024, Esther Lungu was arrested for fraud.[5]