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Catherine Mba

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Catherine Mba
Catherine Mba
Birth: 15 May 1918
Libreville, Estuaire, Gabon
Death: 10 November 2025
Libreville, Estuaire, Gabon
Age: 107 years, 179 days
Country: GabonGAB
Centenarian

Catherine Leon Mba [French: Catherine Léon Mba] (née Moret; 15 May 1918 – 10 November 2025) was a Gabonese centenarian who was the oldest known living person in Gabon at the time of her death, as well as the oldest known person ever from Gabon. She was also the wife of the late president of Gabon, Léon Mba and the former First Lady of Gabon during the 1960s.

Biography[]

Early to Mid-life[]

Catherine Mba was born in Libreville, Estuaire, Gabon, on 15 May 1918, to parents with French origin.

She was living a modest and humble life. One time when she had gone to the city hall in Libreville to meet the local mayor—who was of course, Léon Mba—to request an indigence certificate for her medical treatment. She waited for hours, knowing that the moment would change the course of her life. When Léon Mba saw her, he signed the document and also gave her a hefty sum of money for her healthcare.

She continued on her daily life by selling "fufu" in the market, it was there when Léon Mba met with her again, he was deeply captivated with her beauty, diligence, and simplicity of her life. Before a relationship was formed, her caregiver or her uncle ensured what Léon Mba's intentions were, once it was clear he gained his approval. Léon Mba approached Catherina Mba with a genuine question, “What can you offer me?” Catherine responded, “Whatever you want, Monsieur le Maire.” This moment marked their everlasting bond and unity.

In 1960, she was informed that the serving president at the time, Léon Mba—who served from 1961–1967—wanted to take her as her wife, in which she agreed in doing so—she was the fourth wife of the president—after that, she always stayed discretely by the president's side. She had 3 daughters with him. Despite her status as first lady, she never resided in a presidential palace and declined all offers from her husband, who encouraged her to live with him. She instead lived in the houses he had built for her in Akebe. She was a discrete woman, never officially appearing in ceremonies, and remaining in the shade, perhaps to avoid tension with Pauline Mba, the other First Lady and first wife of Léon Mba (in the practice of polygamy).

The year 1964 marked a terrible chapter of her life when she was living in the Santa Claus plantations when news broke that a coup d'état was launched against her husband, president Léon Mba. Catherine was deeply affected by this, as members of the coup harmed her believing she shared a responsibility during the national crisis. Fortunately, a bystander rescued her informing the members she had taken no part in the national affairs.

She had previously learned that her husband had been held in difficult conditions, despite this he was rescued by French forces who came to restore constitutional order to the country. The memories of those days are still etched in the back of her mind.

In 1967, her husband passed away; she was in great grief and agony. She never remarried after this to honor his memory and love despite customs requiring her to memory one of his relatives. She loved her husband dearly, “Always him, always him,” she repeats. She keeps his memory as a caring man, who was concerned for others well-being, and who always encouraged her to work despite being first lady. After this she went on and had a quiet life, withdrawn from the public eye.

Late life[]

A thanksgiving mass orchestrated by the teams of L'Union for her. Bishop Basile Mvé Engone gave thanks to God for the celebration of her 100th birthday. She led the hymn of Ave Marie Stella.

She can't hear well but hed memory is said to be alert, with some memories still being vivid to her, despite the overwhelming number of years that had passed.

On 15 May 2018, she celebrated her 100th birthday, becoming a centenarian. She was the second known Gabonese to do so after Teka Bernard in 2010.

On August 17, 2024, on the occasion of the celebration of the 64th anniversary of Gabon's independence, she was elevated to the dignity of Grand Cross of the Order of the Equatorial Star by the current president of Gabon, Brice Oligui Nguema. Her presence aroused strong emotions, national opinions, marking a deep reconciliation between Gabon's historical past and modern-day Gabon.

On 20 June 2025, following the death of 114-year-old Marita Camacho Quiros of Costa Rica, she became the oldest known living First Lady.

Catherine Mba died on 10 November 2025 at 2:00 AM at the Polyclinique Chambrier in Libreville, Estuaire, Gabon, at the age of 107 years, 179 days. She had reportedly been hospitalised for stomach problems, her condition declined due to Malaria. She was laid to rest on 15–17 November 2025 at Cap Santa-Clara. The current president and first lady of Gabon paid respects to her body by laying a floral wreath and signing an official book of condolences. She was the first known person from Gabon to reach 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 107.

Gallery[]

References[]

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