Saulos Klaus Chilima Biography Profile
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Saulos Klaus Chilima was a notable Malawian economist and politician who held the position of Vice President of Malawi during two separate terms, first from 2014 to 2019 and later from 2020 until his untimely death in 2024.
He entered office on June 28, 2020, alongside President Lazarus Chakwera. Chilima also took on roles as the Minister of Economic Planning and Development and the Head of Public Sector Reforms under two different administrations.
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Profile Summary
| Full Name | Saulos Klaus Chilima |
| Date of Birth | February 12, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Ntcheu, Malawi |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | 2 (Seun and Elizabeth) |
| Occupation | Economist and Politician |
| Date of Death | June 10, 2024 |
| Cause of Death | Plane Crash |
| Age | 51 Years Old |
| Parents | Brown Chilima and Elizabeth Frances Valeira Chilima |
| Siblings | Elizabeth Manga (Sister) |
| Political Party | Tonse Alliance
United Transformation Movement (UTM), Democratic Progressive Party (until 2018) |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
Early Life and Educational Background
Saulos Klaus Chilima was born on February 12, 1973, in Ntcheu, Malawi to Brown Chilima and Elizabeth Frances Valeira Chilima. He spent his early years in Blantyre with his parents and most times spent his holidays with his paternal and maternal grandparents respectively.
He completed his primary education at HHI and Dharap primary schools and attended Marist Brothers Mtendere Secondary School in Dedza District for his secondary education.
He graduated from the University of Malawi with a degree in social sciences in 1994 and later obtained a master’s degree in Economics in 2005 from the same university. He earned a Ph.D. in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton on August 10, 2015.
Career
Before venturing into politics, Chilima had a successful career in the corporate world. He worked at Lever Brothers (now Unilever), the Leasing and Finance Company of Malawi, and Southern Bottlers Limited (now Castel Malawi).
His final role in the private sector was as Managing Director of Airtel Malawi, where he significantly boosted the company’s revenue through various strategic projects. Chilima’s political career began in 2014 when he became the running mate of Peter Mutharika, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
In 2018, he left the DPP to form his own party, the United Transformation Movement and contested the 2019 elections. Although he failed he remained steadfast in Malawian politics, eventually joining forces with Lazarus Chakwera in the 2020 presidential election, which they won.
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Legacy
Saulos Chilima served as the minister for disaster relief and public events. He was also a key member of Compact 2025, working to end hunger and undernutrition. Chilima was a strong voice for environmentalism, physical fitness, sports, and anti-corruption. He supported Archdiocesan seminaries and led a student movement for multi-party democracy.
Personal Life
Chilima was married to Mary, and together the couple had two children named Sean and Elizabeth. While he was still alive, sources gathered that Chilima was a devout Catholic and held strong belief in God.
Death
On June 10, 2024, Chilima and eight others (including a Former First Lady of Malawi, Patricia Shanil Muluzi) were in a plane that went missing in the Chikangawa Forest Reserve. They were headed to a funeral of the former government minister Ralph Kasambara. The next day, it was confirmed that all on board, including Chilima, had died in the crash. A state funeral was held on June 16 which was attended by over 41,000 Malawians.
On June 17, he was buried in his home village of Nsipe, in a ceremony that had Chakwera and former presidents Bakili Muluzi, Joyce Banda and Peter Mutharika in attendance.
FAQs
1. Who was Saulos Chilima’s wife?
Saulos Chilima was married to Mary Chilima (née Chibambo). There are some variations in how her last name is spelled online, but both Chibambo and Nkamanyanchi appear in reliable sources.
2. Did Saulos Chilima have any children?
Yes, Saulos Chilima and Mary Chilima had two children together: a son named Sean and a daughter named Elizabeth.
3. Where did Saulos Chilima spend his childhood?
While born in Ntcheu, Malawi, Chilima spent most of his childhood in Blantyre due to his parents’ work. He also frequently visited his grandparents in Lilongwe and Ntcheu during school holidays.
4. What was Saulos Chilima’s religious background?
Saulos Chilima was a devout Roman Catholic. His faith likely played a significant role in his personal life and influenced his political views.
5. Are there any public details about Saulos Chilima’s hobbies or interests outside of politics?
Beyond his dedication to public service, Saulos Chilima was a strong advocate for environmental protection. He was also known to be very health-conscious and participated in fitness events, encouraging others to stay active.