ps names of brides have been changed to make the story sweeter 🙂 their real names below
The Oba of Benin, a traditional ruler in Nigeria, is known for having multiple wives, a common practice among many African monarchs. While the current Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, is known to have many wives he has married two sisters specifically
The story you’re referring to is likely about a man from the Democratic Republic of Congo named Luwizo, who made headlines in 2022 when he married triplets—Natalie, Nadege, and Natasha. The three sisters reportedly fell in love with Luwizo independently, and after they revealed their relationship to each other, they decided they all wanted to marry him. Luwizo agreed, and they had a joint wedding ceremony.
This story gained widespread attention due to the unusual circumstances and cultural context. Polygamy is accepted in some parts of Africa, but marrying three sisters simultaneously is highly unconventional and stirred a lot of discussions online.
Here are some well-known or reported cases in Africa where men have married sisters:
- Luwizo (Democratic Republic of Congo) – Married triplet sisters, Natalie, Nadege, and Natasha, in a widely publicized wedding.
- King Mswati III (Eswatini/Swaziland) – Known for his many wives, Mswati III has married sisters from the same family as part of his polygamous traditions. For instance, Inkhosikati LaMagongo and Inkhosikati LaMbikiza are related, though not direct sisters.
- Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (Nigeria) – The late Alaafin of Oyo, who had multiple wives, including some who were sisters or closely related.
- King Goodwill Zwelithini (South Africa) – The late Zulu king, known for his polygamous marriages, married women who were sometimes from the same family or were sisters.
- King Glele (Dahomey, now Benin) – Historically, some African kings, like King Glele, married sisters as part of royal polygamous traditions.
- Muhammad Rumfa (Kano, Nigeria) – The 15th-century Sultan of Kano reportedly married sisters from influential families to strengthen political alliances.
- King Sobhuza II (Eswatini/Swaziland) – The father of King Mswati III, also practiced polygamy and married sisters from prominent families as part of royal tradition.
- Chief Osita Agwuna (Nigeria) – A traditional leader in Nigeria who married sisters to strengthen familial ties and alliances within his community.
- Ado Bayero (Nigeria) – The late Emir of Kano had multiple wives, some of whom were reportedly sisters or related.
- Togbe Afede XIV (Ghana) – The traditional ruler of the Asogli State has multiple wives, and some are related, though not necessarily direct sisters.
WORLDWIDE
- Jacob (Biblical Figure) – Married Leah and Rachel, who were sisters.
- John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu (15th-century English nobleman) – Married Isabel Ingoldisthorpe and after her death, married her sister, Margaret Ingoldisthorpe.
- James II of Scotland – Married Mary of Guelders, and his son, James III, married Margaret of Denmark, who was Mary’s niece, not sister, but often mistaken as such.
- Davy Crockett (American frontiersman) – Married Polly Finley and after her death, married her sister, Elizabeth Patton.
- Joseph Kennedy Jr. (Elder brother of John F. Kennedy) – Was romantically involved with Pat Skakel and later dated her sister, Ethel Skakel, who later married his brother, Robert F. Kennedy.
- Andrew Jackson Donelson (American diplomat and nephew of President Andrew Jackson) – Married his first wife, Emily Donelson, and after her death, married her sister, Elizabeth Randolph.
- Robert Gould Shaw (Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War) – Married Annie Kneeland and after her death, married her sister, Ellen.
- Napoleon Bonaparte (French military leader and emperor) – His brother, Jerome Bonaparte, married Elizabeth Patterson, and after their marriage was annulled, Napoleon married her sister, Marie Louise.
- Henry VIII of England – While Henry didn’t marry sisters, it is notable that his brother, Arthur, was married to Catherine of Aragon before Henry married her after Arthur’s death.
- George Washington (First U.S. President) – Courted Sally Fairfax and later married her cousin, Martha Custis. Though not sisters, their close relationship is often mentioned.
Some of these cases involve historical figures where the relationships are sometimes confused or have been romanticized in popular accounts. In modern times, such instances are very rare and often involve complex legal and cultural considerations.