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How Many Children Does Desmond Tutu Have? Daughter and Son, How Did He Die?

Author

Jessica Burns

Updated on January 01, 2026

Desmond Tutu’s fans are keen to know about his four children. He was an Anglican bishop and Theologian in South Africa.

Desmond Tutu was a legendary bishop and theologian, an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.

Earlier, Tutu was the Bishop of Johannesburg (1985 to 1986) and the Archbishop of Cape Town (1986 to 1996). In Southern Africa’s Anglican hierarchy, he held the most senior position.

Desmond became the president of the All Africa Conference of Churches in 1986. He was one of the famous personalities of that time for his anti-apartheid activism.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace prize laureate who helped end apartheid in South Africa, has died aged 90

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) December 26, 2021

Desmond Tutu was praised with various awards that including the Nobel Peace Prize. Furthermore, he has published several books of his sermons and speeches. 

Table of Contents

How Many Children Does Desmond Tutu Have?

The question about Desmond Tutu has been raised time and again. People want to learn more about their children. 

How many sons and daughters does Desmond Tutu have? Where are they? Such questions have created curiosity among his fans.

So, we have here answered all the questions in this article.

The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa.

— Cyril Ramaphosa ?? (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 26, 2021

Desmond Tutu is the father of four children. He has two sons and two daughters, altogether.

Tutu got married to his wife Nomalizo Leah Shenxane on 2 July 1955. He met with her at college.

At that time, Nomalizo Leah Shenxane was a teacher. 

Meet Desmond Tutu Sons And Daughter

Desmond Tutu shared four children with his wife, Nornalizo Leah Shenxane. He is a loving father to his children.

The name of Desmond Tutu’s sons is Trevor Thamsanqa and Naomi Nontombi. His daughter’s names are Mpho Andrea Tutu and Theresa Thandeka Tutu.

Desmond’s daughter Mpho Andrea Tutu is a priest and activist in South Africa. In addition to that, she is also an author.

[BREAKING NEWS] Desmond Tutu passes away. More details on #DStv403 and at #eNCA

— eNCA (@eNCA) December 26, 2021

Mpho Andrea Tutu has been featured on the Wikipedia page. She has published numerous publications like Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference, Tutu: The Authorized Portrait, and more.

The author, Mpho Andrea, was honored with the South African Women for Women: Woman of Distinction Award in 2004.

How Did Desmon Tutu Die?

Desmon Tutu died at 90 on 26 December 2021 in Century City, Cape Town, Westen Cape, South Africa. 

The exact reason for his death hasn’t been revealed yet.

We will update you with the reasons for his death in our further articles; once the family members confirmed the cause.

RIP Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 90. A magnificently charismatic & heroic figure who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his relentless campaign against Apartheid in South Africa. Love his quote: ‘If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.’

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 26, 2021

Desmond Tutu was the prominent opponent of South African’s apartheid system of racial segregation.

Tutu was the award-winning theologian who was praised internationally for his contribution to anti-apartheid activism in South Africa.