Zari Hassan is widely recognized as Zarinah Hassan or Zari the Boss Lady. One of her notable achievements is being the CEO and heir of Brooklyn City College (BCC), an esteemed educational institution based in South Africa. Zari co-founded BCC alongside her late husband, Ivan Ssemwanga. The college, which has its headquarters in Pretoria, offers diverse and progressive educational programs.
Additionally, BCC has established satellite campuses in Polokwane, Durban, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Vereeniging, and Rustenburg. Zari’s involvement in the education sector reflects her commitment to providing quality education to students across South Africa.
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Zari Hassan Profile
| Real Name | Zarinah Hassan |
| Other Names | Zari Hassan • Zari The Boss Lady |
| Born | 23 September 1980 |
| Age | 43 years (as 0f 2023) |
| Place of Birth | Jinja, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Parents | Halima Hassan • Nasur Hassan |
| Siblings | Zuleha Hassan • Abdul Karim Hassan • Asha Hassan, Zara Hassan |
| Husband • Spouse | Ivan Ssemwanga (2001–2013) Shakib Cham 2022 Til Date |
| Boyfriend • Partner | Farouk Sempala (ex.) • King Bae (ex.) • GK Choppa (.ex) • Diamond Platnumz (ex.) |
| Children | Pinto Ssemwanga • Raphael Ssemwanga • Quincy or Lil Q Ssemwanga • Latifah Dangote • Prince Nillan |
| Education | Diploma in Cosmetology |
| Alma mater | Institution in London |
| Occupation | Socialite • Musician • Businesswoman |
| Years Active | 2000-date |
| Net Worth | $9.0 million |
Zari Hassan Biography
Zari Hassan, born on September 23, 1980, is widely known as Zari the Boss Lady. She is a talented Ugandan reality TV personality who has made a name for herself as an entrepreneur, influencer, philanthropist, and musician. Currently residing in South Africa, she is the owner of various businesses and valuable properties.
Hassan returned to her native Uganda in 2000, following a two-year stay in the United Kingdom. She later relocated to South Africa, where she met and married Ivan Semwanga. The couple had three children. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2013 after Hassan accused Semwanga of physical abuse.
In May 2017, Semwanga suffered a severe stroke and was admitted to Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Unfortunately, he passed away on May 25, 2017, and was laid to rest in Uganda. After the funeral, Hassan returned to South Africa to oversee her own businesses as well as some of her late husband’s ventures. She also has two children with Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz.
Zari Hassan Early Life And Education Background
Zari Hassan is the daughter of Nasur Hassan and Halima Hassan. Sadly, her mother passed away in July 2017 due to heart failure while receiving medical treatment at Nakasero Hospital in Uganda. She grew up alongside her four siblings: Zuleha Hassan, Asha Hassan, Zara Hassan, and Abdul Karim Hassan.
Zari Hassan completed her secondary education at Jinja Girls High School, where she actively participated in music, drama, and dance groups. Her talent and skills earned her the distinction of being named the best actress for two consecutive years.
After high school, Zari ventured into performing karaoke at various hangouts in Kampala, where she quickly amassed a considerable amount of money. Subsequently, she took a hiatus from acting and traveled to the United Kingdom to pursue higher education. There, she obtained a diploma in cosmetology.
Although her time in London was relatively short, Zari Hassan returned to Uganda to establish her business empire while simultaneously pursuing her career as a musician.
Zari Children With Ivan Ssemwanga
In 2004, Zari Hassan entered into a marriage with Ivan Ssemwanga, a Ugandan-born South African tycoon. Their union was celebrated with a grand traditional ceremony, reportedly costing approximately 1 billion Ugandan shillings.
Throughout their nine-year marriage, Zari and Ivan were blessed with three sons: Pinto, Raphael, and Quincy. However, their relationship encountered challenges, and in 2013, Zari filed for divorce, citing allegations of physical abuse against Ivan.
Tragically, in 2017, Ivan Ssemwanga suffered a stroke while traveling from Uganda to South Africa. Zari, despite their separation, took on the responsibility of caring for him and facilitated his admission to Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. Regrettably, Ivan passed away on May 25, 2017. His final resting place was his ancestral home in Uganda, where he was laid to rest on May 30, 2017.
Zari Hassan Children With Diamond Platnumz
Following her separation from Ivan Ssemwanga, Zari Hassan discovered a new love in the embrace of Nasibu Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known as Diamond Platnumz, a Bongo Flava musician from Tanzania. Their relationship blossomed from 2014 to 2018, and despite the significant age difference (Zari being nine years older than Diamond), they were regarded as one of the power couples of East Africa.
However, their love story encountered a hurdle when Diamond engaged in an extramarital affair with Tanzanian model Hamissa Mobetto. This led to the eventual breakup of Zari and Diamond. Nonetheless, their time together resulted in the birth of Zari Hassan’s two youngest children, a son, and a daughter.
RELATED: Zari Hassan – Diamond Platnumz and I can share a bed but no touching
Zari Hassan Career
From a young age, Zari Hassan displayed a natural talent for music. Her passion for singing emerged during her primary school years, and she even had the opportunity to perform in her school’s end-of-year function. She eagerly participated in competitions and talent shows organized by her school staff, showcasing her musical abilities.
In 2007, Zari Hassan took a significant step in her music career by recording her debut single, “Oliwange” (You’re Mine). The release of this single garnered attention and acclaim, leading to its nomination for the Best East African Video of the Year at the Africa Channel O Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zari’s musical talents were recognized in 2009 when she received the Diva Awards’ prestigious Award of the Year in the Diaspora category. Alongside her music pursuits, Zari Hassan has established herself as a successful entrepreneur in South Africa. She owns a tertiary college and a cosmetics shop, balancing her business ventures with her passion for music.
Zari’s Marriage To Shakib
Zari and Shakib took to Snapchat to share their joy, posting photos and videos of their time together. Among the attendees were some of Zari’s close family members, including her elder brother and sister.
In one of the pictures, Shakib captioned it with heartfelt words, “Happy is the man who finds a true friend. Congrats to the Lutaayas.”
The couple decided to go public with their relationship in May 2022, and towards the end of last year, Zari, the mother of five, traveled to Uganda to meet Shakib’s family.
When news of their relationship reached the public, Zari spoke out against critics who often condemn older women for dating or marrying younger men. She questioned the double standards prevalent in society, pointing out how older men marrying younger women rarely face the same scrutiny.
RELATED: Zari and Diamond Platnumz re-union in Kenya?
Zari Hassan’s Net Worth
Zari Hassan’s net worth is believed to be around $9.0 million. While there are claims that her main source of income is her share of her late husband’s will, it is important to note that this information is not verified and may not be accurate. Zari is also involved in various business ventures, including owning a tertiary college and a cosmetics shop, which contribute to her overall wealth.
