Who Is Emmerson Mnangagwa? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Emmerson Mnangagwa was born on September 15, 1942, making him 82 years old in 2025. He has been the President of Zimbabwe since November 24, 2017. Mnangagwa’s leadership follows a long political career, with roots in the liberation struggle against colonial rule in Zimbabwe. He has played crucial roles in various governmental capacities, consistently shaping the political landscape of the nation.
| Occupation | Revolutionaries |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 15, 1942 |
| Age | 82 Years |
| Birth Place | Shabani, Southern Rhodesia (now Zvishavane, Zimbabwe) |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Zimbabwe |
Popularity
Emmerson Mnangagwa's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Emmerson Mnangagwa's physical attributes remain relatively private, which is common for many politicians. However, his estimated height is around 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) with an approximate weight of 160 pounds (73 kg). Details regarding specific body measurements are not publicly available.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Emmerson Mnangagwa is married to Auxillia Mnangagwa, who has been a significant partner in his political endeavors. The couple has had a close relationship since their marriage, and Auxillia is known for her involvement in various social and health initiatives throughout Zimbabwe. Information about any prior relationships or affairs remains undisclosed, focusing the public narrative predominantly on his accomplished partnership with Auxillia.
His parents were farmers, and in the 1950s he and his family were forced to move back to their country Northern Rhodesia because of his father's political activism.
There he became active in anti-colonial politics, and in 1963 he joined the newly formed Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, the militant wing of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). He returned to Rhodesia in 1964 as leader of the "Crocodile Gang", a group that attacked white-owned farms in the Eastern Highlands.
In 1965, he bombed a train near Fort Victoria (now Masvingo) and was imprisoned for ten years, after which he was released and deported to the recently independent Zambia. He later studied law at the University of Zambia and practiced as an attorney for two years before going to Mozambique to rejoin ZANU.
In Mozambique, he was assigned to be Robert Mugabe's assistant and bodyguard and accompanied him to the Lancaster House Agreement which resulted in Zimbabwe's recognised independence in 1980.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million to $10 million. His wealth stems from various sources including his long-standing political career, investments in agriculture, and real estate holdings. However, specific details regarding his annual salary as the President of Zimbabwe remain less transparent due to the country's economic climate.
While serving as justice minister, Mnangagwa was also acting finance minister from November 1995 to April 1996, after the previous minister, Bernard Chidzero, stepped down for health reasons, and his successor Ariston Chambati died. He was also acting Minister of Foreign Affairs for a short period.
In 1998, Mnangagwa was put in charge of Zimbabwe's intervention in the Second Congo War, in which the Zimbabwe National Army entered the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the side of Congolese President Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
A 2000 article in the Zimbabwean magazine Moto described Mnangagwa as Mugabe's heir apparent, writing, "With the DRC issue at hand, it has been difficult to tell whether he is the Minister of Justice or the Minister of Defence as he has been shuttling between Harare and Kinshasa." During the war, Mnangagwa enriched himself through mineral wealth se
ized from the Congo.
After Billy Rautenbach, a Zimbabwean businessman, was placed in charge of Gécamines, the Congolese state mining company, Mnangagwa began brokering deals between the company and Zimbabwean connections.
Career, Business, and Investments
Emmerson Mnangagwa has had a formidable political career, serving in various governmental roles before his ascension to the presidency. His expertise in law and politics have positioned him as a key figure in Zimbabwe's governance, particularly in security and foreign relations. Beyond politics, he has invested in several businesses, predominantly in the agricultural sector, given Zimbabwe's rich farming potential. These investments have played a significant role in his overall financial success and contribution to the economy.
Mnangagwa is commonly nicknamed "Garwe" or "Ngwena" (Shona: 'The crocodile'). It came initially from the name of the guerrilla group he founded, but later came to denote his political shrewdness. Reflecting this, the pro-Mnangagwa faction within ZANU–PF is named Lacoste after the French clothing company, known for its crocodile logo.
He is also known in his home province of Midlands as "the Godfather". Mnangagwa was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2018.
Social Network
Emmerson Mnangagwa maintains a presence on various social media platforms, including Twitter, where he shares updates regarding government initiatives, national events, and public engagements. His official accounts aim to engage with citizens and promote transparency in his administration.
In 1962, Mnangagwa was recruited in Northern Rhodesia by Willie Musarurwa to join the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), a newly formed pro-independence party in Southern Rhodesia. He became a guerrilla fighter for ZAPU's armed wing, the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), and was sent to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) for training.
He stayed first in Mbeya, and then at a new training camp in Iringa, where he met leading black nationalists like James Chikerema and Clement Muchachi. While there, he criticised the decisions of ZAPU's leader, Joshua Nkomo, an offence for which a ZIPRA tribunal chaired by Dumiso Dabengwa sentenced him to death.
Two other ZAPU members of his same Karanga background, Simon Muzenda and Leopold Takawira, the party's external affairs secretary, intervened to save his life.
Education
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s educational background includes a law degree from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, which laid the foundation for his political and legal career. His education has aided him in navigating Zimbabwe's challenging political landscape and addressing the country's social issues.
Mnangagwa, who had begun his primary education at Lundi Primary School in Shabani, resumed his studies at Myooye School in Mumbwa. Most of his classmates at Myooye had three names, while Mnangagwa only had one, Dambudzo.
After finding a book in the school library by the American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, he decided to adopt the name "Emmerson" before his given name. After a short period at Myooye, Mnangagwa completed standards 4, 5, and 6 at Mumbwa Boarding School.
From 1958 to 1959, he attended Kafue Trade School in Kafue, where he took a building course.
