Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko-H-Metro Editor
LEONARD Dembo has been in the spotlight since his widow, Eunice, dropped a bombshell last week claiming that the country has turned its back on her and her family.
Eunice, who is now confined to a wheelchair, has until now largely kept herself in the background.
Her late husband gave the country one of its biggest hits of all-time with ‘Chitekekete’.
Now, as the clock ticks towards 30 years since Dembo’s death at a relatively young age, his widow has revealed that she is living a miserable life. His premature death came at the height of his success with his hit album, Chitekete, making waves around the country.
Chitekete sold over 100 000 copies and its title song was played at the Miss World 1994 beauty pageant where Angeline Musasiwa finished third.
Dembo’s widow, Eunice, says she feels the country’s musical industry, which reaped a considerable fortune from her late husband’s artistry, has turned its back on her.
Eunice’s call for help, and the intervention of philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo, has triggered one of the biggest debates on social media.
Dembo died on April 9, 1996.
There are many, especially the generation which was there when Dembo was at the height of his musical powers, who argue that he was a genius, the kind of which come once in a while.
Ironically, the Dembo debate also unfolded at a time when the world was celebrating what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday last week.
Both Marley and Dembo died at the age of 36.
Is it the fate of superstars like Dembo and Marley that they have to die at the age of 36?
H-Metro went down memory lane and the results are quite interesting.
Here are some of the superstars and prominent people who died at the age of 36:
BOB MARLEY
— Died: April 11, 1981
Considered one of the greatest musicians of all-time, the Jamaican superstar sold over 20 million records in his career. They say he was the first international star to come from the ‘Third World’ and more than 40 years after his death, his songs continue to make waves around the world. He died due to cancer. He was 36.
Princess Diana
— Died: August 31, 1997
The Princess of Wales was a style guru and was also known for her charity work. She divorced the current British King Charles 1996. Princess Diana died in a car tragedy in Paris. She was 36.
Zahara
— Died December 11, 2023
The award-winning South African Afro-pop singer, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died from liver complications. She shot to fame in 2011 with her album Loliwe. She died in Johannesburg hospital at the age of 36.
Marilyn Monroe
— Died: August 4, 1962
She was a legendary American actress, model, comedienne and singer and was a powerful sex symbol in Hollywood. She became one of the most photographed actresses in Hollywood. She struggled with a number of personal issues, including her relationships. She died from a drug overdose at the age of 36.
Brenda Benet
— Died: April 7, 1982
She was an American actress who shot to prominence in soap operas such as The Young Marrieds and Days of Our Lives. She transformed herself into one of the leading TV actresses in the 1960s and 1970s. But, just like Monroe, she faced several personal challenges, especially after her divorce from Bill Bixby. In 1982, she took her own life due to depression. She died at the age of 36.
Doc Holiday.
— Died Nov 8, 1887
A dentist, everything changed for him when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and advised to move to the drier west in the United States to prolong his life. He turned to a new career as a gambler and a gunfighter in the Wild West. He died at the age of 36 and his story is still being told in a number of western movies.
Loyd Byron
— Died: April 19, 1824
One of the greatest British poets of all-time, Lord Byron was also one of the most important personalities of the Romantic Movement. He is also known for his role in the Greek War of Independence, for which the Greeks consider him a national hero. He died at the age of 36.
Heinrich Hetz.
— Died: January 1, 1894
He was the German physicist known for proving the existence of electromagnetic waves with conclusive evidence. He died at the age of 36.
OTHERS
Yound Dolph (rapper); Bray Wyatt (wrestler); Umaga (westler).
