Esther Lungu
Esther Nyawa Lungu (born June 2, 1957) is a prominent public figure in Zambia, having served as the First Lady from January 25, 2015, to August 24, 2021. She married to former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, and they have six children together. Esther was born to Agnes and Island Phiri, who are originally from Zambia's Eastern Province. Raised in the Catholic faith, she and her husband are now practicing Baptists. In 2015, she traveled to the United States to attend various events, including the First Ladies' and women's summits at the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas, and the United Nations in New York City. At the Invest in Women conference in Dallas, she participated as a distinguished panelist, with the session moderated by Cherie Blair. During her time as First Lady, Esther Nyawa Lungu was a strong advocate against child marriage and founded the Esther Lungu Foundation in December 2015, where she serves as chairman and mentor. The foundation's main mission is to empower women and children in Zambia. However, in May 2024, Esther Lungu was arrested for fraud.
Quotes
[edit]- "God is great, and He is our foundation! I will stand firm! We have never taken anything that isn’t ours, and God is aware of this."
- "We may have to follow man's lead, but God knows there's always light at the end of the tunnel. They cannot take our lives away."
- "How many First Ladies have experienced what I'm going through? Regardless, God knows."