Biography & Wikipedia
Marike de Klerk was a South African political figure who served as the first lady of the country from 1989 to 1994. She was born on September 4, 1937, in the city of Pretoria in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
De Klerk was married to former South African president Frederik Willem de Klerk, who was instrumental in ending apartheid in the country. She played a supportive role during her husband’s presidency and was known for her work in social and charitable causes. She was an active member of the National Party and was involved in the party’s women’s movement.
De Klerk was also known for her advocacy of women’s rights and her efforts to promote education and health initiatives for disadvantaged communities in South Africa. She founded the Marike de Klerk Foundation in 1995, which focused on the advancement of women’s and children’s rights, as well as education and healthcare programs.
Tragically, on December 6, 2001, Marike de Klerk was found murdered in her home in Cape Town. Her death shocked the nation and led to an outpouring of grief and condolences. The subsequent investigation and trial found her former chauffeur guilty of the murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Despite her untimely death, Marike de Klerk’s legacy lives on through her foundation and her work to promote social justice and equality in South Africa.
Age and birthday
Marike de Klerk was born on September 4, 1937.
Height and weight
Information regarding her height is not currently available.
Nationality & Ethnicity
Marike de Klerk was a South African national and was of white Afrikaner ethnicity.
Education
Marike de Klerk was educated at Hoërskool Garsfontein in Pretoria, South Africa. She later attended the University of Pretoria, where she studied social work. After completing her studies, she worked as a social worker in various hospitals and clinics.
Political party and views
Marike de Klerk was a member of the National Party, which was the ruling party in South Africa at the time. The National Party was a conservative political party that supported apartheid, the system of racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa until the early 1990s.
However, Marike de Klerk was known for her progressive views on women’s rights and social justice. She was an advocate for education and healthcare initiatives for disadvantaged communities in South Africa, and she founded the Marike de Klerk Foundation in 1995 to further these causes. She also supported her husband’s efforts to end apartheid and promote a more democratic and inclusive South Africa.
Parents and siblings
She was born to Susanna Elizabeth Heyns and Willemse who was an academic and writer. He was a professor of Social Pathology and Psychology at the University of Pretoria.
Husband and children
Marike de Klerk was married to Frederik Willem de Klerk, who served as the State President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994. Frederik de Klerk was a key figure in the negotiations that led to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic government in South Africa.
Marike and Frederik de Klerk had three children together, a son named Jan de Klerk, Willem de Klerk, and a daughter named Susan de Klerk. Jan de Klerk tragically died in a plane crash in 2001, just a few months before his mother’s death. Susan de Klerk is a musician and has performed in various concerts and festivals in South Africa.
Salary and net worth
Given her background as a social worker and her advocacy for social justice causes, it is unlikely that she accumulated significant personal wealth during her lifetime. Marike de Klerk’s focus was on using her resources and influence to help those in need, rather than on amassing personal wealth.
Social media: Instagram & Twitter
There are no personal social media accounts that relate to Marike de Klerk.
