Zambia is mourning the loss of its former head of state, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 68.
According to preliminary reports from the Patriotic Front (PF)—the political party he once led—Lungu had travelled to South Africa for a routine medical checkup.
Unfortunately, his health reportedly worsened during the visit.
His daughter, Honourable Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, who also serves as a Member of Parliament, confirmed the news of his passing.
Lungu’s Life and Legacy
Dr. Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth president, holding office from January 26, 2015, until August 24, 2021. Born in Ndola on November 11, 1956, he trained as a lawyer at the University of Zambia, graduating in 1981. He practiced law before entering politics.
His rise within the Patriotic Front was swift following the death of President Michael Sata in 2014. Lungu went on to win the 2015 presidential by-election and was re-elected in 2016 for a full term. He was later defeated in the 2021 general election by Hakainde Hichilema.
Beyond politics, Lungu was a family man—married to Esther Lungu and father to six children. He was a devout Baptist and remained a significant figure in Zambia’s political landscape even after his presidency, returning to PF leadership and engaging in public debate over his eligibility for another presidential run.
His passing marks the end of a notable chapter in Zambia’s post-independence leadership.
