Marike de Klerk
Encyclopedia
Marike de Klerk was the First Lady
of South Africa
, as the wife of President Frederik Willem de Klerk
, from 1989 to 1994, as well as a politician of the governing National Party
in her own right.
Mr FW de Klerk and Marike de Klerk divorced in 1998. She was murdered in 2001.
.
Marike met her future husband, F.W. de Klerk, at Potchefstroom University (where she was studying for a degree in commerce
). The couple later married and adopted three children together; Jan, Willem, and Susan.
F.W. de Klerk and Marike de Klerk were married for 39 years before divorcing in 1998. Mr. de Klerk remarried a week later.
In 2000 she faced further emotional upheaval when her relationship with her fiance and businessman
Johan Koekemoer, collapsed. When the media revealed that he was facing impending bankruptcy, Marike de Klerk defended her fiance, but soon after he faced a nervous breakdown and checked into a Pretoria clinic.
In the later years of her life, she battled depression
.
's women's wing.
In 1993, she was awarded the Woman for Peace Award in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1993, for promoting the well being and development of rural women.
She later wrote and released two books. In A Journey Through Summer and Winter she explored her marriage of 39 years with FW de Klerk. Later in A Place Where the Sun Shines Again she offered guidance to women facing divorce later in life.
apartment.
In May 2003, former security guard, Luayanda Mboniswa was convicted of her murder.
Her murder led to many high-profile figures speaking out. South African president Thabo Mbeki
remarked that she was a "strong, charming and dignified woman".. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
stated that "As a woman, I can identify with the exhaustion of her emotional resources in shaping her former husband's career,".
Her former husband, FW de Klerk released a statement: "I have learned with great shock and sorrow of the circumstances of the tragic death of my former wife Marike."
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, as the wife of President Frederik Willem de Klerk
Frederik Willem de Klerk
Frederik Willem de Klerk , often known as F. W. de Klerk, is the former seventh and last State President of apartheid-era South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994...
, from 1989 to 1994, as well as a politician of the governing National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
in her own right.
Mr FW de Klerk and Marike de Klerk divorced in 1998. She was murdered in 2001.
Personal life
Marike was born into a relatively privileged Afrikaans family. Her father, Wilhelm Willemse, was an academic and writer. He was Professor of Social Pathology and Psychology at University of PretoriaUniversity of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi campus public research university located in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa...
.
Marike met her future husband, F.W. de Klerk, at Potchefstroom University (where she was studying for a degree in commerce
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
). The couple later married and adopted three children together; Jan, Willem, and Susan.
F.W. de Klerk and Marike de Klerk were married for 39 years before divorcing in 1998. Mr. de Klerk remarried a week later.
In 2000 she faced further emotional upheaval when her relationship with her fiance and businessman
Johan Koekemoer, collapsed. When the media revealed that he was facing impending bankruptcy, Marike de Klerk defended her fiance, but soon after he faced a nervous breakdown and checked into a Pretoria clinic.
In the later years of her life, she battled depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
.
Career
During her husband's presidency, Marike was the leader of the National PartyNational Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
's women's wing.
In 1993, she was awarded the Woman for Peace Award in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1993, for promoting the well being and development of rural women.
She later wrote and released two books. In A Journey Through Summer and Winter she explored her marriage of 39 years with FW de Klerk. Later in A Place Where the Sun Shines Again she offered guidance to women facing divorce later in life.
Murder
On 4 December 2001, Marike de Klerk was murdered in her Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
apartment.
In May 2003, former security guard, Luayanda Mboniswa was convicted of her murder.
Her murder led to many high-profile figures speaking out. South African president Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
remarked that she was a "strong, charming and dignified woman".. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a South African politician who has held several government positions and headed the African National Congress Women's League. She is currently a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee...
stated that "As a woman, I can identify with the exhaustion of her emotional resources in shaping her former husband's career,".
Her former husband, FW de Klerk released a statement: "I have learned with great shock and sorrow of the circumstances of the tragic death of my former wife Marike."