Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Bio: Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Tribe, Party, Death

Biography

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (November 17, 1948 – October 23, 2025) was a pioneering Ghanaian politician, women’s rights advocate, and the longest-serving First Lady of Ghana.

Born in Cape Coast to J.O.T. Agyeman, she was educated at Achimota School—where she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings—and later studied art and textiles at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, earning a bachelor’s in graphic design and an interior design diploma from London’s College of Arts.

Married to Rawlings in 1977, she supported his revolutionary leadership, serving as First Lady during his brief 1979 tenure and extended rule from 1981 to 2001.

A fierce champion of gender equality, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement in the 1980s to empower women economically and politically, addressing issues like access to water, education, and leadership.

Dubbed Ghana’s “Iron Lady,” she rose in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), becoming its first vice chairperson in 2009, before challenging President John Atta Mills for the 2012 nomination (which she lost) and forming the National Democratic Party.

In 2016, she made history as Ghana’s first female presidential candidate. Survived by four children—including MP Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings—she left a legacy of unyielding advocacy for women’s emancipation and African development.

Former First Lady of Ghana
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Stage Name:	Iron Lady
Born:	17 November 1948 (age 76 years old)
Place of Birth:	Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana
Died:	23 October 2025 (age 76 years), Ridge Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Nationality:	Ghanaian
Education:	Achimota School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, London College of Arts
Height:	N/A
Parents:	J.O.T. Agyeman, Felicia Agyeman
Siblings:	Nana Konadu, Nana Yaa
Spouse:	Jerry Rawlings (m. 1977–2020)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Kimathi Rawlings, Amina Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings
Occupation:	Politician • Advocate
Net Worth:	$1 million-$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana.

She belonged to the Akan ethnic group, a prominent ethnic majority in Ghana known for its matrilineal traditions. She was raised in a Christian household, common in Ghana’s Central Region.

Her father, J.O.T. Agyeman, was a notable figure, and her mother, Felicia Agyeman, was a revered woman. She grew up alongside her siblings, Nana Konadu Agyeman and Nana Yaa Agyeman.

Konadu‘s early education began in Ghana, where she attended the prestigious Achimota School in Accra. It was there she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings, forging a lifelong partnership that would shape Ghana’s political landscape.

Demonstrating a flair for the arts, she pursued higher education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.

She further honed her creative skills by obtaining a diploma in interior design from the London College of Arts, equipping her with a unique blend of artistic and practical expertise that would later complement her public roles.

Career

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was a prominent Ghanaian politician, women’s rights advocate, and influential public figure. Though her public life was closely connected to the political legacy of her husband, Jerry John Rawlings, she established her own identity as a passionate champion for gender equality and national development.

As First Lady during Rawlings’ brief presidency in 1979 and throughout his rule from 1981 to 2001, she used her platform to drive social change. In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, a non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering women across Ghana.

The movement focused on improving access to clean water, vocational training, education, and encouraging women’s participation in leadership and politics. It quickly became one of the largest women’s organizations in the country, strengthening her reputation as a relentless advocate for women’s empowerment.

Her political influence grew within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), co-founded by her husband. In 2009, she became the party’s first female vice chairperson.

In 2011, she boldly contested President John Atta Mills for the NDC’s presidential candidacy ahead of the 2012 elections. Although she did not win, her campaign demonstrated her determination to challenge gender norms in politics.

In 2016, Nana Konadu made history as Ghana’s first female presidential candidate, representing the National Democratic Party (NDP), a party she helped establish after leaving the NDC. While she did not win the election, her candidacy was a groundbreaking moment that inspired many women to aspire to leadership roles in governance.

Personal Life

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was born on November 17, 1948, and passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 76.

At the time of her death, she had lived a full life marked by political activism and family devotion, having turned 76 just six days prior.

She was married to Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s former president and a pivotal figure in the nation’s revolutionary history, whom she met as a teenager at Achimota School.

The couple wed in 1977 in a union that blended personal partnership with political synergy, lasting until Rawlings‘ death on November 12, 2020. There are no records of prior marriages or divorces for Konadu, reflecting a steadfast monogamous commitment; her public life centered on this singular, enduring relationship.

Together, they raised four children: Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (born June 1, 1978), a medical doctor and Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle; Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, who holds a master’s degree in international communication; Amina Rawlings, a legal expert specializing in petroleum law; and Kimathi Rawlings, a commercial advisor in the oil and gas sector.

The family often appeared as a united front in public, underscoring Konadu‘s role as a devoted mother amid her advocacy work.

Konadu died at Ridge Hospital (Greater Accra Regional Hospital) in Accra after a short illness, though specifics of the ailment were not disclosed in official statements from the Ghanaian government or her family.

Her passing prompted widespread mourning, highlighting her enduring impact as Ghana’s “Iron Lady.”

Net Worth

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings‘ net worth, estimated between $1 million and $5 million at the time of her death on October 23, 2025, reflected her modest financial standing despite her prominent public life.

As Ghana’s former First Lady and founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement in 1982, her wealth stemmed primarily from her graphic design career, political engagements, and shared assets with her husband, Jerry John Rawlings.