Photo: Orda.kz
Reports of the death of Sara Nazarbayeva, wife of Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, are false. Aidos Ukibay, spokesperson for the former head of state, addressed the rumors on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“In response to numerous media inquiries, I confirm that Sara Alpysovna, the spouse of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.”
Earlier today, several Telegram channels reported that Nazarbayeva had died. These claims alleged that doctors at the Presidential Administration Hospital, where she is being treated, had decided to disconnect her from life support. ORDA.kz also reported her death, citing its own unnamed source, and noted heightened security on and around the hospital grounds.
Initial reports that Sara Nazarbayeva was seriously ill and hospitalized surfaced in early May.
Born on February 12, 1941, Sara Nazarbayeva began her career in industrial work and later earned a degree in economics. In 1992, she founded the Böbek Children’s Foundation, which supported orphans and introduced the “Self-Knowledge” educational program in schools.
She served as Kazakhstan’s first lady from 1991 to 2019 and received several international awards for her contributions to philanthropy and children’s rights. She and Nursultan Nazarbayev have three daughters.
On December 26 of last year, the Telegram channel BES.media erroneously reported her death. The following day, the outlet clarified that a draft obituary had been published for a few seconds due to a technical error and expressed regret for the mistake.
