Winnie Bwire's Biography: age, family, Sultana role, husband, kids & death in Turkey

She possessed a multitude of talents and excelled in various artistic fields, including acting, scriptwriting, songwriting, singing, painting, and interior designing.

Additionally, she was a skilled baker, businesswoman, and a devoted mother. She had a bachelor's degree in Industrial Fine Art and Design from Makerere University.

A past image of Othman Njaidi 'JJ' and late Winnie Bwire 'Dida' of 'Sultana' series Pulse Live Kenya

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Artistic journey

Dida's artistic journey began at a young age, where her passion for the arts was evident.

Her parents recognised her talent and provided the necessary resources and unwavering support to nurture her abilities.

They encouraged her participation in plays and poetry from the age of six, even enrolling her in holiday programs to further enhance her skills.

Acting career

Bwire's professional acting career commenced in 2014 when she made her screen debut on the series 'Penzi' aired on Raia TV.

The late Winnie Bwire 'Dida' of Sultana series Pulse Live Kenya

Subsequently, she appeared in other productions such as 'Kisasa' and 'Tehanini' on Maisha Magic East.

She furthered her acting prowess by joining the 'Kalimani Dynasty' on KTN before landing her most beloved role as Dida in the hit Swahili telenovela 'Sultana' on Citizen TV.

In 'Sultana', Dida portrays a complex character deeply in love with Jabali Junior, also known as JJ.

However, JJ's heart belongs to the blind protagonist, Sultana, which creates a challenging love triangle.

The late Winnie Bwire 'Dida' of Sultana series Pulse Live Kenya

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Dida's character displays confusion, tolerance towards her mother's (Angie Magio), insistence on her marriage to JJ, and a mixture of astonishment, anger, and fear.

She must also confront her forbidden love for Kaka, one of the maids employed by JJ's father, all while desperately longing for JJ to choose her.

Winnie Bwire's relationship & break-up

Although Winnie Bwire Ndubi's on-screen persona navigated through intricate romantic entanglements, her personal life was far from confused.

A past image of the late Winnie Ndubi Bwire with ex-partner Dan Sonko & his two children Pulse Live Kenya

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In real life, Bwire Ndubi found love and comfort with Dan Sonko, a talented coastal actor known for his roles in regional productions.

Their relationship began after Dan endured the heartbreaking loss of his first wife, who passed away while giving birth to their second child in 2017. Bwire met Dan during his healing process as he tried to rebuild his life, leading to their paths crossing.

After two years together, the couple faced a significant challenge when Dan began struggling with mental health issues. In July 2023, Dan Sonko announced that he had ended his relationship with Bwire.

“I ended the relationship, first for Bwire and me, and we did it for the kids because we did not want to reach a point where we would be fighting through this,” he explained.

The late Winnie Bwire 'Dida' of Sultana series Winifred Bwire Ndubi Pulse Live Kenya

Winnie Bwire's battle with breast cancer

The actress was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2022. In a previous interview she said that she laughed when doctors gave her a positive cancer diagnosis report.

"I knew when it was too late. I noticed the things we are taught to look out for are not always there. I did not have those signs.

"I just started having pain under my armpit when my menses came. My first month I ignored it because the swelling disappeared after my menses ended." she said.

In December 2023, Bwire Ndubi reached out to the public, seeking Sh7 million for essential medical treatment abroad, which was successful.

The late Winnie Bwire 'Dida' of Sultana series Sultana actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi Pulse Live Kenya

Fast forward to August 2024, the actress once again appealed to her fans for financial help, this time to raise Sh5 million.

However, barely a month after this appeal, Winnie's family announced her death in a Turkey hospital.

Quick facts about late Winnie Bwire

Beyond her professional achievements, Winnie Bwire Ndubi possessed a few intriguing quirks.

Fear of rats - She admited to having a fear of rats, causing her to shriek at the mere sight of them.
Sings in the shower - Bwire said she found joy in singing and dancing while showering, reveling in the intimate moments of self-expression.
Very shy person - Surprisingly, despite her captivating on-screen presence, she revealed that she was naturally a shy individual, adding an endearing layer to her personality.