Sultana actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi, who famously went by Dida on the show, passed away on September 5 after a brave two-year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Unfortunately, the 36-year-old succumbed to cancer in Turkey while undergoing treatment.
But did you know Bwire Ndubi was once traditionally married to fellow actor Dan ‘Sonko’ Kinyanjui?
Bwire Ndubi and Dan Sonko
The couple was together since 2018 but decided to part ways amicably in July 2023.
The breakup between Winnie Bwire and Dan Sonko was due to a combination of reasons, primarily stemming from the pressures of caregiving, personal, and health challenges.
When Bwire Ndubi was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she and Dan were in the stages of planning for a child together, and the diagnosis marked the beginning of their troubles.
Initially, Dan Sonko supported and held Bwire Ndubi’s hand during the trying times.
However, being a primary caregiver emotionally and physically exhausted him. He admitted that the burden of caregiving had led him to a point where he struggled with his mental health.
Dan Sonko’s First Wife’s Death
Dan has a history with grief and loss. Having lost his previous wife, Dru Sonko, in 2017, he was still dealing with trauma. Watching Winnie suffer and fearing that he might lose her too deeply affected him. Dru Sonko had tragically passed away shortly after giving birth to their second child, which led Dan through a prolonged journey of grief and healing. He later started dating actress Winnie Bwire, but their relationship faced further emotional and personal challenges, making it hard to sustain.
Were Bwire Ndubi and Dru Sonko Friends?
There was a common misconception that Dru and Winnie were friends, but in reality, they only met twice before Dru’s passing. Winnie was not a close friend of Dru’s as some believed.
In fact, Dan Sonko dated at least three women after his first wife Dru passed away.
Before he and Bwire Ndubi became a couple, she had advised Dan on his relationships, demonstrating the depth of their friendship before it transitioned into romance.
Despite their mutual affection, they decided to part ways amicably.
Dan Sonko urged his fans not to view this as a divorce, as they had never legally married due to pandemic restrictions.
Bwire Ndubi also saw the breakup as a fresh start, focusing on personal and spiritual growth.
For the rest of Bwire Ndubi’s life, the two remained good friends and continued to support each other in their business ventures.
Dan Sonko even attended Bwire Ndubi’s cancer fundraiser concert.
By Vivian K.