Former President George Manneh Weah has publicly expressed sorrow and extended condolences to the family of the late former First Lady of Liberia, Madam Nancy B. Doe, who passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, following a period of illness.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 22, Mr. Weah not only mourned the loss of the widow of slain President Samuel Kanyon Doe, but also acknowledged the significant role the Doe family, particularly President Doe himself, played in shaping his early football career.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former First Lady Nancy B. Doe,” Weah stated. “Her loss resonates with me personally, given the pivotal role the former President played in my journey to becoming a professional football player.”
Weah described the former First Lady as a woman of “towering presence” and “unwavering support” during her husband’s tenure. He highlighted her charitable efforts and tireless advocacy for women as hallmarks of her legacy.
But beneath the carefully worded condolence message lay something more, a long-awaited apology. While not explicitly stated as such, Weah’s tone struck many as a soft but significant attempt at mending long-standing wounds. Over the years, some Liberians criticized Weah for what they saw as political silence or emotional distance from the Doe family, despite his early support from President Doe’s regime.
By referencing the personal connection and paying homage to the family’s enduring contribution to Liberia, Weah may have finally offered the closest thing to a public reconciliation gesture.
“She and her family closely followed the nation’s progress in the decades following the civil war, all while championing justice and peace,” Weah noted. “Her passing has left a profound void, not only for those who came to know her, such as myself—but for the entire nation.”
The former President concluded by extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and honoring Madam Doe’s “remarkable life.”
Nancy B. Doe served as Liberia’s First Lady from 1980 until 1990. Following the assassination of her husband during the height of the civil conflict, she lived quietly but remained active in Liberian affairs and diaspora advocacy.
Funeral arrangements for the former First Lady are yet to be announced.
