First Lady of Botswana

The first lady of the Republic of Botswana^[1][2] is the wife of the president of Botswana. The current first lady is Kaone Boko, the wife of President Duma Boko.

First Lady of Botswana
Incumbent Kaone Boko since 1 November 2024
Inaugural holder	Ruth Williams Khama
Formation	September 30, 1966 (58 years ago) (1966-09-30)

The role is largely ceremonial and has no salary. President Masisi has said that his wife does not have the remit to influence government policies.^[3]

History

There was no first lady from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2018, as President Ian Khama was unmarried. The absence of a first lady was problematic for some official functions, and there were moves to find a substitute for some occasions.^[4] President Kharma's unmarried status was controversial because of the requirements of tribal traditions.^[5]

First ladies of Botswana

Name	Portrait	Term began	Term ended	President	Notes
Ruth Williams Khama[6][7]		30 September 1966	13 July 1980	Seretse Khama
Gladys Olebile Masire[1][8]		13 July 1980	31 March 1998	Quett Masire
Barbara Mogae[9]		1 April 1998	1 April 2008	Festus Mogae
Vacant		1 April 2008	1 April 2018	Ian Khama	President Ian Khama never married.[5]
Neo Masisi		1 April 2018	1 November 2024	Mokgweetsi Masisi
Kaone Boko		1 November 2024	Present	Duma Boko

See also

• List of heads of state of Botswana