Recently, a photo of Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, holding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy with both his wives went viral on social media.
The image captured the leader celebrating Senegal’s AFCON football triumph with Marie Khone Faye and Absa Faye by his side.
Polygamy is the practice of having more than one wife and in some African countries it is legal under customary or religious law, and even heads of state have followed the tradition. 
Below are examples of African presidents who married more than one wife.
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African Presidents Who Married More Than One Wife
1. Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal)
Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has drawn public attention not just for his leadership but also for his family life. He is married to:
- Marie Khone Faye – married 2009; four children together.
- Absa Faye – married 2023; one daughter.
This is the first time a Senegalese president has entered office with two publicly recognised wives, and the image of him celebrating the AFCON win with both spouses attracted widespread attention.
2. Jacob Zuma (South Africa)
Office: President of South Africa (9 May 2009 – 14 February 2018)
Spouses
• Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo – married 1973 (first wife; survived).
• Kate Mantsho Zuma – married 1976; died 2000.
• Nkosazana Dlamini‑Zuma – married 1982; divorced 1998.
• Nompumelelo Ntuli – married 2008.
• Thobeka Stacie Madiba – married 2010.
• Gloria Bongekile Ngema – married 2012.
Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa, is one of the best‑known African leaders associated with polygamy. Under South African customary law, multiple marriages are recognised if conducted according to tradition.
Zuma practises traditional Zulu polygamy and has been married multiple times; reports vary on total marriages, but at least six official unions are documented, with several wives alive during his presidency.
Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa, is one of the best‑known African leaders associated with polygamy.
Zuma is currently 83 years old and has more than 20 children.
3. Omar al‑Bashir (Sudan)
Office: President of Sudan (30 June 1989 – 11 April 2019)
Spouses:
- Fatima Khalid—first wife
- Widad Babiker—second wife, married in 2003
Sudanese leader Omar al‑Bashir was in power for decades before being ousted. Polygamy in Sudan is legal under Islamic law, and both wives were known public figures.
Bashir did not have children with either wives.
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4. Yahya Jammeh (Gambia)
Office: President of the Gambia (22 July 1994 – 19 January 2017)
Spouses:
• Tuti Faal – married 1994; divorced 1998.
• Zeinab (Zineb) Jammeh – married 1999 (remained official First Lady).
• Alima Sallah – married 30 September 2010; not officially First Lady.
Former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh was a polygamist during his time in office (1994–2017). Reports have also circulated about other possible marriages, although some remain unverified.
5. Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria)
- Office: President of Nigeria (1 May 1999 – 29 May 2007)
- Spouses:
• Oluremi Akinlawon (Oluremi Obasanjo)—married 1963; later divorced.
• Stella Abebe Obasanjo – married 1976; died 23 October 2005.
• Bola Obasanjo – married 2009 (after presidency).
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has had multiple marriages and partnerships throughout his life; some sources reference additional unions, but the above are verifiable.
6. Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya)
Office: President of Kenya (12 December 1964 – 22 August 1978)
Spouses:
- Grace Wahu: Married in 1919 (traditional) and 1922 (civil).
- Edna Grace Clarke: An Englishwoman he married in 1942 while living in England.
- Grace Wanjiku: Married in 1946; she died in 1950 during childbirth.
- Ngina Kenyatta (Mama Ngina): Married in 1951.
Mama Ngina was the most prominent of his wives, acting as First Lady during his presidency, while his other marriages ended in divorce (Edna Clarke) or the death of the spouse (Grace Wanjiku).
He had children with these wives, including Uhuru Kenyatta, who became the fourth president of Kenya.
7. Gnassingbé Eyadéma (Togo)
Office: President of Togo (14 April 1967 – 5 February 2005)—a remarkable nearly 38 years in power under a one‑party and later authoritarian regime.
Spouses:
Véronique Massan Osséyi – a Togolese magistrate and jurist.
Hubertine Badagnaki Gnassingbé—She is the mother of some of his children.
Sabine Eglé‑Mensah
Eyadéma was widely reported to have multiple wives and a large extended family. Local media and international obituaries noted he was survived by three wives at the time of his death.
He fathered numerous children, with the numbers reported in some accounts exceeding 80, though exact figures vary by source, and not all children are publicly documented.
His son Faure Gnassingbé succeeded him as president in 2005, initiating a family political dynasty that continues to shape Togo’s politics.
In many parts of Africa, polygamy remains legal or culturally accepted under customary or religious law. Some leaders have practised it openly, while others did not.
- In Senegal, polygamy is legal, so President Faye’s public image with both wives reflects cultural norms in a primarily Muslim society.
- In South Africa, traditional Zulu marriages are recognised under customary law.
- In the Gambia, polygamy is legally recognised and common.
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