Hafidh Ameir Hassan, the husband of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the country’s first-ever First Gentleman, died in Zanzibar on Monday, September 7, after suffering from a heart condition, Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi announced.

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He died at 8am local time at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar, Ndejembi said, adding that funeral arrangements were under way in Kizimkazi, a village in Zanzibar.

Ameir was a retired agricultural officer and academic who built his career in agriculture and public service before retiring from government. Publicly available biographies provide limited details about his specific government postings and academic work.

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Ameir became Tanzania's first-ever First Gentleman in March 2021, when Suluhu became Tanzania’s president following the death of President John Magufuli.

He did not hold an executive government position or pursue a political career. His public role was largely limited to accompanying the president at official functions and supporting her public duties.

For much of his life, however, Ameir was known more for his work in agriculture than for his connection to politics.

He married Suluhu in 1978, when she was 18. Their marriage lasted more than four decades as she progressed through Tanzania’s political system, from local and national leadership to becoming vice-president and later president.

The couple had four children — three sons and a daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, who later entered politics and has served in the Zanzibar House of Representatives.

Despite his wife’s growing political prominence, Ameir largely remained outside the political spotlight. He rarely gave public interviews and made few appearances at major political events.