Connie Chiume dead at 72: Black Panther actress passes away after being ‘admitted for medical procedure’ – four years after death of leading man Chadwick Boseman

 Black Panther actress Connie Chiume has passed away at 72.

The South African actress passed away on Tuesday at the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg according to a family statement released on the star’s Instagram on Wednesday.

It began: ‘The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress, Connie Chiume. 

‘Connie Chiume passed on at Garden City Hospital today on the 6th August 2024. The family asks for privacy during this difficult period. The family will communicate further details.’

Though there are few details surrounding her death which have been reported her son Nongelo Chiume revealed to South African news network Newzroom Afrika that she had been ‘admitted for a medical procedure’ before her death.

Black Panther actress Connie Chiume (pictured in LA back in October 2022) has passed away at 72

The South African actress passed away on Tuesday at the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg according to a family statement released on the star’s Instagram on Wednesday

Nongelo explained: ‘She was recovering well, but unfortunately today we caught the news of her passing.’

He also added that he and the rest of his family ‘can’t confirm’ any of the details regarding his mother’s death.

Nongelo did say, however, that the family ‘will constantly be communicating on any updates that they need to share with the broader public.’

Connie’s son was also asked on the broadcast how he would like his mother to be remembered.

Nongelo replied: ‘We want her to be remembered as a person who gave her all through her talents. We want her to be remembered as someone who was selfless and someone who always wanted to see the next person doing great and believing in their God-given talents.’

In addition the South African government actually posted a tribute to Connie on X (formally Twitter).

They wrote: ‘Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of multi-award winning and legendary actress Connie Chiume. Her outstanding work will always be remembered #RIPConnieChiume.’

Connie was best known for her work in 2018 MCU blockbuster Black Panther as she portrayed tribal leader Zawavari. 

Though there are few details surrounding her death which have been reported her son Nongelo Chiume revealed to South African news network Newzroom Afrika that she had been ‘admitted for a medical procedure’ before her death; Connie is pictured in January 2018

Connie was best known for her work in 2018 MCU blockbuster Black Panther as she portrayed tribal leader Zawavari

Years later she reprised the role for the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever which was released in 2022. 

In between those two films, leading man Chadwick Boseman had passed away at the age of 43 from colon cancer in August 2020.

He was very private about his battle with the illness and even kept it from his Black Panther castmates.

Other than the Marvel films, Connie had over 30 credits to her name including starring in TV series Housekeepers over 18 episodes from 2018 to 2022.

She also starred in Beyonce’s 2020 musical film Black Is King which was the visual companion to The Lion King live-action remake as she portrayed Simba’s mother Sarabi.

Black Panther leading man Chadwick Boseman had passed away at the age of 43 from colon cancer in August 2020; he is seen in the 2018 film

Before pursuing a career in acting, Connie was a teacher; she is seen in Hollywood back in October 2022

Connie won the award for best actress in a drama series at the South African Film and Television Awards for her work in Soul City.

She also won another SAFTA award years later for Zone 14 in 2009.

Before pursuing a career in acting, Connie was a teacher. 

Chiume is survived by her four children.