How the Russian woman became the wife of the President of Angola and the mother of the richest woman in Africa
'16.03.2021'
ForumDaily Woman
According to the American magazine Forbes, the eldest daughter of the former president of Angola is currently considered one of the richest women in Africa, as well as the first billionaire woman on the continent. But the most surprising thing is not this at all, but the fact that the former citizen of the USSR Tatyana Kukanova is the mother of Isabelle dos Santos.
In general, Jose Eduardo dos Santos was married three times. However, the first wife of the head of Angola became a native of Penza, Clever.
Acquaintance and marriage in Baku
Tatyana Sergeevna Kukanova was born and raised in the city of Penza. Kukanova's name would never have fallen into the pages of history if, after graduating from school, she had not decided to leave her native places in the Republic of Azerbaijan. In Baku, Tatyana entered the Azerbaijan University of Oil and Chemistry.
21-year-old José Eduardo dos Santos, who by that time had already deployed a real partisan struggle against the Portuguese colonialists in Angola, also studied there at the same time. At the university, dos Santos continued his vigorous efforts to liberate the African state and even led the corresponding circle.
It is not known whether Tatiana Kukanova was a member of the circle, but for sure there was a lot in common between her and José Eduardo, because they didn’t pull with the wedding. Young people registered their relationship in 1966 year, while still students of the said university.
Their common and only daughter Isabel, though born 6 years after the marriage, was born in Baku too. True, despite the presence of a child, this marriage did not last long.
Divorce and its causes
At the start of 1970, José Eduardo dos Santos returned to Angola. According to the specialty obtained in the USSR, he never worked, but his political career rapidly went uphill. After the country gained its independence, a member of the Labor Party, dos Santos, took the chair of the foreign minister. And in September 1979, the first president of Angola, Agostinho Neto, passed away. The next head of state was José Eduardo dos Santos.
Due to the fact that dos Santos acquired the highest possible status, his personal life now did not belong to him. He was forced to part with his Russian wife, Tatiana Kukanova, and marry a compatriot. The story of the relationship between souls Santos and Kukanova is over.
Having not become the “first lady” of Angola, Tatyana Kukanova left for permanent residence in the UK. Together with her, goodbye to Angola and daughter Isabel. In the English capital, Isabelle received an education, but having matured, she decided to return to Angola.
In the African country, Isabelle dos Santos got married and had three children. In addition, the daughter of Tatyana Kukanova and the Angolan President went into business and soon became on the Forbes list as the richest woman in the continent. Her state edition is estimated at $ 3 billion.
A spokesman for Isabel dos Santos assured Forbes journalists that her father’s position was irrelevant to a woman’s business and income.
By the way, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who held the presidency for almost 40 years, resigned in 2017 year. As for Tatiana Kukanova, separation from her daughter did not force her to leave Foggy Albion: she chose to stay in London.
