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Who is John Magufuli's wife Janeth? A look at former First Lady and kids after Tanzania president's death at 61

The primary school teacher's colleagues describe her as a 'very lovely and humble woman'

John Pombe Magufuli, the son of a peasant farmer who became Tanzania's 'bulldozer' president in 2015, died on Wednesday at the age of 61. 

Magufuli, leader of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, had acquired his nickname for driving a program to build roads, for his anti-corruption stance and his distinct dislike for the wastage of money. But he had also gained criticism for his cracking down on dissent and the curtailment of certain freedoms. Once praised for his no-nonsense approach, the president went on to become a controversial leader, particularly over his response to the coronavirus pandemic. He had called the virus 'a devil' and did not believe in the need to stay at home. He instead urged his country to go to churches and mosques and pray.

Here's what we know about his wife, the former first lady Janeth Magufuli.

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Who is the late John Magufuli's wife Janeth?

Janeth Magufuli, 61, was married to the Tanzanian president and served as the country's First Lady from his election in November 2015 until his death in March 2021. Their wedding took place at Dar Es Salaam University over two decades ago, according to Standard Media. Very little is known about their married life although the report revealed that that the president had neither a suit nor a wedding ring at the time of marrying the love of his life.

"Again the day I got married the priest bought me a ring, and he bought us a soda and I drank Pepsi, my partner drank Mirinda," the father of two said in the report. "Unlike the usual marriages, I did not wear a jacket and my wife did not wear a shawl but we got married."

Janeth was a teacher at Mbuyuni Primary School located in Dar es Salaam, where former first lady Salma Kikwete also used to teach. She taught geography, history and ICT and was known for not missing classes. She once took the initiative to donate a wheelchair to a disabled pupil at the school. Headteacher Dorothy Malecela calls her a hard-working woman and a very good teacher. "Above all, she is a very lovely and humble woman," she said in a Facebook post. Regardless of her status as a minister’s wife, she is known to be a down-to-earth woman. Her two children, Jessica and Joseph, also studied in Mbuyuni Primary School. President Magufuli was himself a schoolteacher of chemistry and mathematics before he ventured into politics.

In November 2016, Janeth Magufuli was admitted to a public hospital for an undisclosed illness. People applauded the move, saying it was a great example to the continent's elite, considering many of African leaders have come into public criticism for seeking medical treatment overseas, while locals had to do with underfunded, understaffed hospital facilities at home.