Graça Machel

Graça Machel (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɡɾasɐ mɐˈʃɛl]; née Simbine [sĩˈbinɨ]; born 17 October 1945) is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. She is the widow of former President of Mozambique Samora Machel (1975–1986) and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela (1998–2013). Machel is an international advocate for women's and children's rights and was made an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for her humanitarian work. She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries, South Africa and Mozambique.

Graça Machel
Graça Machel in 2010
First Lady of South Africa
In role
18 July 1998 – 14 June 1999
PresidentNelson Mandela
Preceded byZindzi Mandela
Zenani Mandela
Succeeded byZanele Mbeki
First Lady of Mozambique
In role
11 November 1975 – 19 October 1986
PresidentSamora Machel
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byMarcelina Chissano
Mozambique offices
1975–1989
Minister of Education and Culture
In office
25 June 1975 – 1989
PresidentSamora Machel
Preceded byPosition established
Ceremonial offices 1999–2019
Chancellor of the University of Cape Town
In office
1999 – 31 January 2019
Vice-ChancellorNjabulo Ndebele
(2000–2008)
Max Price
(2008–2018)
Preceded byHarry Oppenheimer
Succeeded byPrecious Moloi-Motsepe
Personal details
Born
Graça Simbine

(1945-10-17) 17 October 1945
Incadine, Portuguese Mozambique
Political partyFRELIMO (1973–Present)
African National Congress (1998–present)
Spouses
Samora Machel
​
​
(m. 1975; died 1986)​
    Nelson Mandela
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1998; died 2013)​
    Children2, including Josina Z. Machel
    RelativesMandela family (by marriage)
    Alma materUniversity of Lisbon
    OccupationTeacher, politician, activist

    Graça Machel is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. As a panel member, she facilitates coalition building to leverage and broker knowledge, and convenes decision-makers to influence policy for lasting change in Africa.

    She was chancellor of the University of Cape Town between 1999 and 2019.

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