Tanzania’s First Gentleman, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, the husband of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has died while receiving treatment for a heart condition in Zanzibar.
Hassan died at around 8 am on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment, according to Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi.
Ndejembi announced the death on Monday, conveying condolences to President Samia, Hassan’s family, relatives and friends, as well as Tanzanians.
“Fellow citizens, it is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Honourable Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Honourable Samia Suluhu Hassan,” Ndejembi stated.
The Vice President said Hassan had been receiving treatment for a heart condition before his death.
“He passed away today, September 7, 2026, at around 8:00 am at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar, where he was receiving treatment for heart disease,” he added.
Ndejembi also confirmed that funeral preparations had already begun in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, where arrangements to lay the First Gentleman to rest were under way.
“I extend my condolences to the Honourable President, his family, relatives and friends, and all Tanzanians on this loss. Funeral arrangements are currently being made in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar,” the Vice President said.
Hassan had largely maintained a low public profile during his wife’s rise through Tanzania’s political leadership. He was an agriculturalist and academic and had previously worked as an agricultural officer before retiring. Reports on the family have described him as a former agriculture lecturer who later worked as a consultant.
Hassan married Samia in 1978, and the couple had four children — three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, has followed her mother into politics and has served as a representative in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives.
Samia became Tanzania’s first female president in March 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli. She had previously served as Magufuli’s vice-president from 2015 until his death. Her succession made her the sixth president of Tanzania and the first woman to hold the country’s highest office.
Hassan subsequently became Tanzania’s First Gentleman, a position he occupied while largely remaining away from the political spotlight. His role was notable because Samia’s presidency marked the first time Tanzania had a male spouse of a serving president.
The death comes as Tanzania prepares to mourn the President’s husband, with funeral arrangements already underway in Kizimkazi.
The Vice President’s announcement did not provide a more specific diagnosis beyond saying that Hassan had been receiving treatment for a heart condition. Current reporting therefore does not establish a more detailed medical cause of death beyond the heart-related illness.
The announcement is expected to be followed by further details on the funeral programme and other arrangements as the country mourns Hassan alongside President Samia and the wider First Family.