Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has died at the age of [age, if available].
Hassan died on Monday, September 7, while receiving treatment at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar, according to Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi.
Ndejembi said the former academic had been battling a heart condition before his death at about 8:00 a.m. local time.
He added that funeral arrangements were already underway in Kizimkazi, a village on Zanzibar, Tanzania’s semi-autonomous archipelago.
Ameir, an agricultural academic, largely stayed away from the spotlight despite his wife’s rise to the highest political office in Tanzania.
He became Tanzania’s first First Gentleman when Samia assumed the presidency in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli.
The couple married in 1978, long before Samia entered national politics, and had four children — three sons and a daughter.
Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, followed her mother into politics and currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed condolences to President Samia and her family, describing Ameir as a lifelong companion to the Tanzanian leader and a distinguished son of Tanzania.
“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” Ruto said.
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye also conveyed his condolences to President Samia and the people of Tanzania following the death.
