From Typist to First Lady: CNN’s Clarissa Ward Breaks Down Grace Mugabe’s Story

• CNN's Clarissa Ward spotlighted Grace Mugabe in episode 4 of her First Ladies of Fear series on Instagram
• Grace Mugabe rose from a statehouse typist to Zimbabwe's most feared and extravagant First Lady
• Viewers flooded the comments with divided opinions on 'Gucci Grace', with some defending her legacy

CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward is back with another episode of her gripping Instagram series. She posted episode 4 of First Ladies of Fear on 18 September 2026, and this time her subject is Grace Mugabe, the woman the world came to know as "Gucci Grace."

Ward's video traces Grace's journey from working as a typist in Zimbabwe's state house to becoming one of Africa's most controversial political figures. Grace, born Grace Marufu in South Africa in 1965, caught the eye of President Robert Mugabe while working in his typing pool. The two began an affair while both were married to other people. By the time they wed in a lavish 1996 ceremony, they already had two children together. Robert Mugabe was 41 years her senior.

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Grace Mugabe's rise and notoriety

As Zimbabwe's First Lady, Grace built a reputation for breathtaking extravagance. Reports of a single Paris shopping trip costing around $75,000 (approximately R1,220,235 to R1,221,345) made headlines internationally. She famously defended her preference for Ferragamo shoes, saying she had very narrow feet and could only wear the brand. The spending came while ordinary Zimbabweans were living through severe poverty and hyperinflation, which made her lifestyle all the more striking.

Her behaviour was not limited to shopping. In 2009, a British photographer said Grace punched him repeatedly outside a Hong Kong hotel, with diamond rings leaving gashes on his face. In 2017, South African model Gabriella Engels accused her of attacking her with an electrical extension cord in a Johannesburg hotel. Grace claimed she acted in self-defence. Engels was 20 years old at the time.

Grace entered active politics in 2014 and that same year received a PhD from the University of Zimbabwe just two months after enrolling. Her husband happened to be the university's chancellor at the time. Ward does not shy away from the irony.

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A succession plan that backfired

As Grace moved to displace two vice presidents and position herself as her husband's political heir, Zimbabwe's military ran out of patience. In November 2017, tanks rolled into the streets, and Robert Mugabe was forced to resign after 37 years in power. Grace was expelled from the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Watch Clarissa Ward's episode on Grace Mugabe here.

What viewers had to say

The video drew strong and divided reactions in the comments on @clarissawardcnn's Instagram:

@pauliekays wrote:

"You forgot to add that in Zimbabwe, Gucci Grace is still loved and adored by many even years after her husband died."

@tinnasusan said:

"Please also mention the philanthropic work she did for less privileged children. She built a state-of-the-art school, which is still operating till today."

@tandzlk added:

"Dr Amai 🇿🇼 There was never a dull moment with her around 😂"

@myleshawker noted:

"Not accused. She beat her with an extension cord; she couldn't be arrested cos she had diplomatic immunity. Her son the other day was arrested for shooting a garden worker."

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@summersimkins said:

"Loving these! Please give us long form in a podcast or series."

@rosanna_nyc_2021 shared:

"Gucci Grace can never be accused of being boring. I love this series."

@munashendengu simply wrote:

"Miss her."

More on Zimbabwe's news and culture

• Briefly News recently reported on an elderly South African woman living in Zimbabwe who is desperately searching for her estranged family back in Bloemfontein.
• Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa sparked disbelief after declaring his own birthday a public holiday.
• A Zimbabwean man's casual price comparison video sparked a lively debate over the cost of groceries in Zimbabwe.

Source: Briefly News