The husband of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan died Monday while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Zanzibar, the country’s vice president said.

Hafidh Ameir Hassan became Tanzania’s first gentleman in 2021 when his wife took office as the country’s first female president following the death of President John Magufuli. Hassan had been receiving treatment for a heart condition.

Vice-president Deogratius Ndejembi – who made the official announcement of Ameir’s death – said he had been suffering from a heart condition. Ndejembi added that funeral arrangements are underway in Kizimkazi, a village on the country’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.

President Hassan is serving a second term after winning a disputed election in 2025 with more than 97 per cent of the vote. Candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from running.

Ameir was an agricultural academic who largely kept a low public profile. He became Tanzania’s first Gentleman after President Hassan took office in 2021.

In his announcement, Ndejembi said Ameir died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) on Monday at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital.

The vice-president led tributes as he conveyed his condolences to President Hassan, Ameir’s family and friends.

The couple had four children, three sons and a daughter who is a lawmaker.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye also sent condolences to President Hassan and the people of Tanzania.

Kenyan President William Ruto said he received the news of his passing with “deep sorrow”.

“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” he wrote on social media.

The First Gentleman rarely appeared in public alongside the president. He was only occasionally seen with her at official events.

He married Hassan in 1978, before she entered national politics. The couple had four children – three sons and a daughter – together.

Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is also a politician who currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in the National Assembly.

• A Tell Media / Agencies report