Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah
Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah
Full Name: Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah
Native Name: مريم منت محمد فاضل ولد الداه
Role: First Lady of Mauritania
Spouse: Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani
Children: Three
Nationality: Mauritanian
Years Active as First Lady: 1 August 2019–present
Introduction
As the wife of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah serves as the First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Since 2019, she has developed a distinctive public role centered on women’s empowerment, maternal and child health, disability support, and social development. Mauritanian government sources continue to identify her as First Lady in 2026. �
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A trained dentist and former military medical officer, Mariem brings a professional background in healthcare to her public service. Her personal experience with her son’s autism also inspired her advocacy for children with developmental and other disabilities, including the establishment of initiatives supporting autistic children in Mauritania. �
Wikipedia
Known for maintaining a relatively discreet personal life while taking an increasingly active public role, she has become an important advocate for improving opportunities for women and children across Mauritania.
Official Title: First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
As the spouse of the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah serves as the nation’s First Lady.
She participates in diplomatic and ceremonial events alongside the President while also leading and supporting humanitarian initiatives. Her recent work has included women’s empowerment, reproductive and maternal health, youth development, and support for children with disabilities. �
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Early Life
Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah was born in 1980 in Atar, in Mauritania’s Adrar Region.
She studied dentistry at Damascus University in Syria, graduating in 2004. She subsequently served as a dentist in the Mauritanian Armed Forces before continuing her medical career in civilian healthcare.
Her professional experience has strongly influenced the causes she has championed as First Lady. �
Wikipedia
Family Life
Mariem is married to President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
The couple have three children. Their family life has remained relatively private, although her son’s experience with autism became an important influence on her later humanitarian work.
That personal experience helped motivate her efforts to improve access to diagnosis, education, treatment, and support for children with autism and their families. �
Wikipedia
Becoming First Lady
On 1 August 2019, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani became President of Mauritania, and Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah became First Lady.
Her tenure has coincided with a growing emphasis on social development and women’s participation in Mauritanian public life. She has gradually established herself as an advocate for vulnerable groups while accompanying the President at important domestic and international events. �
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Public Role
Mariem’s public work has focused heavily on women’s empowerment, maternal and neonatal health, children with disabilities, and youth development.
She has supported efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and has participated in programs designed to expand women’s economic and social opportunities. In 2026, she publicly emphasized women’s education, healthcare, and participation in society as important elements of Mauritania’s long-term development. �
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Her advocacy for children with autism is particularly personal. She founded the World of Happy Children association and contributed to the development of the Zayed Centre, which provides services for autistic children and other children with special needs. �
Wikipedia
A Symbol of Compassion and Empowerment
Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah represents a First Ladyship strongly connected to healthcare and social inclusion.
Her background as a medical professional gives her advocacy a practical dimension, while her experience as a mother of a child with autism has helped bring greater attention to families who often struggle to access specialized services.
She has also increasingly used her position to promote women’s empowerment, describing investment in girls’ education and women’s health as essential to building a stable and prosperous society. �
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Legacy in Progress
Since becoming First Lady in 2019, Mariem Mint Mohamed Fadel Ould Dah has developed a public legacy centered on healthcare, women’s empowerment, disability inclusion, and the welfare of children.
Her combination of medical experience and humanitarian advocacy has given her a distinctive role within Mauritania’s public life. As the country continues to pursue social and economic development, she remains an important advocate for women, children, and vulnerable communities, representing Mauritania with a quiet but increasingly influential presence.
- 1980
- Mauritania
- Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani
- 01 August 2019-present
