Rosita Salvador Mabuiango — widely known as the “miracle baby” after being born in a tree during the devastating Mozambique floods in 2000 — has died. She was 25.
Her family recently confirmed her death, saying she passed away after a long illness, according to the BBC.
Mabuiango died in the early hours of Monday, Jan. 12, after spending more than two weeks in the hospital, the BBC reported. Relatives said she had anaemia that had recently worsened.
Her mother also told a local television station that Mabuiango had been diagnosed with tuberculosis, South African news site IOL reported.
Celia Salvador, Mabuiango’s sister, told the BBC that her sister died following a “prolonged illness.”
“I am extremely sad,” Salvador said. “She died of an illness I am unable to explain what it was.”
Mabuiango’s story first captured global attention in February 2000, when she was born in a tree in the village of Chokwe as her mother tried to escape rising floodwaters, according to IOL. A photograph of her rescue became widely circulated, and many came to see her survival as extraordinary — earning her the nickname “miracle baby.”
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In later years, Mabuiango graduated from high school in the district of Chibuto, where she was born and raised, and became a mother herself, welcoming a daughter five years ago, according to the BBC and IOL.
Relatives also said she never received a government scholarship she had been promised to pursue studies in petrochemical engineering.
Mozambique President Daniel Chapo mourned Mabuiango’s death, according to the BBC.
“My God. Very bad news,” he said, offering condolences to her family. He also described Mabuiango as “a symbol for girls in Mozambique,” adding that her story resonated with people across the country — especially young women.
Henriques Machava, the mayor of Chibuto, said the municipality is working with Mabuiango’s family to formalize funeral arrangements and plans to cover the costs, according to the outlet.
