The late Tanzanian industrialist Reginald Mengi met his wife Jacqueline Ntuyabaliwe in the United Kingdom in 2010.
Speaking to Citizen TV late last year, Mengi disclosed that Ntuyabaliwe - formerly known as K-Lynn in BongoFleva circles for belting out hits such as Nalia Kwa Furaha - was in the UK for a music show.
The man estimated by Forbes to have built a conglomerate worth at least $550 million made his intentions known to her, but she declined several attempts to meet.
When they jetted back to Tanzania a few months later, Mengi was in luck. She accepted his proposal.
In 2015, the media mogul who via his IPP Media Group reportedly owns 11 newspapers and television stations, tied the knot with Ntuyabaliwe in a lavish ceremony held by the sapphire waters of Mauritius.
In several interviews, Mengi often described Ntuyabaliwe as a complete package.
“She loves me so much; she cooks, washes my clothes with her own hands and not a machine; she respects and knows my position as a man and husband. She also knows her position as a woman and wife,” said Mengi.
On her 39th birthday last year, the 75-year-old showered his wife with praise as a loving partner.
“My love, my darling wife, my best friend, the holder of the key to my life, it is always “better late than never” Happy Birthday my Baby. Thank you for giving me a reason to live. I love you crazy,” he tweeted.
A message the former Miss Tanzania responded with an assurance of her undying love for him.
“This is so sweet hubby I love you so much. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to be my everything.”
In a moving message to his wife before he died, Mengi posted, “Our wedding, or our marriage was a match made in heaven, that’s why it’s so special. If God was to call us today, I would ask God for permission, to see if it’s possible for me to marry her in heaven. So that forever and ever she will be my wife.”
They had twin sons together.
