The Only Woman in History to Have Been Married to Two Presidents

The story of Graça Machel, the first lady of two different countries

Most women have made lists of the qualities and attributes that they would like their potential partner to have. These may include being kind, loving, handsome, and wealthy. For Graça Machel, her standard in the men she would date, and ultimately marry, was extremely high.

While other women have their eyes on doctors, lawyers and bankers, Graça may have had her eye on leaders. She is the only woman in modern history to have been married to two presidents. When asked about her marriages to the two presidents, she would often say,

It’s not two leaders who fell in love with me, but two real people. I feel privileged that I have shared my life with two such exceptional and wonderful men.

Graça was born Graça Simbine on 17 October 1945, in Incadine, Portuguese East Africa, which is now known as Mozambique. Although she is most famously known as the only woman in history to have served as the first lady of two nations, her identity is not limited to the men she married. She is an intelligent woman who had a booming political career in Mozambique.

Graça was the first Minister of Education and Culture in Mozambique. She was instrumental in improving the educational system in the country. Although retired she remains passionate about improving the lives of many African citizens. Her role in politics allowed Graça to mingle with some of the worlds most influential men. She was subsequently married to the late President Samora Machel of Mozambique and the late former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Graça’s marriages

Graça’s first marriage was in September 1975 to the then president of Mozambique, Samora Machel. Machel was a widower whose wife, Josina, had passed on in 1971. While married, Graça took on her husband’s last name, Machel. She was both the first lady of Mozambique and the Minister of Education. Together, they had two children.

Sadly, a month after their eleventh wedding anniversary, her husband died in a suspicious plane crash, in October 1986. Graça was devastated by the loss of her husband, she resigned from her ministerial position, possibly so she could mourn the death of her husband.

Graça’s second marriage was to the revered Nelson Mandela, who was the then president of South Africa. Graça served as the first lady of South Africa for only one year, as Mandela served as president for one term before stepping down.

Their marriage announcement, in 1998, at Mandela’s eightieth birthday celebration attracted a lot of worldwide media attention. The announcement was made in front of thousands of international guests and millions more watching live on television.

Graça was only fifty-two years old when she got married to Mandela, who was eighty years old. Their age gap although large seems to be common among African leaders — Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s former late President and his wife Grace Mugabe had a forty-year age gap between them. Graça was Mandela’s third marriage, he had divorced his previous two wives. Their marriage lasted until Mandela’s passing in December 2013.

Graça has lived the life that most little girls can only dream of. She has been the first lady of not one but two African nations. Yet, what is most impressive is her ability to establish an identity outside her famous marriages. In addition to being the first lady of two nations, she is also an award-winning leader in her own right. She brought more to the table than just a pretty face. Behind two of Africa’s most influential leaders was an equally amazing woman, Graça Machel.