Sara Gizaw

Princess Sara (in white) accompanying Emperor Haile Selassie at a state visit to the Netherlands, 1954

Princess Sara was born on 1 January 1929.[2] Her father was Gizaw Abera, a former Nibure Id of Axum, and her paternal grandfather was Dejazmach Abera Tedla. Her mother was Aisha Tola, a Muslim woman from Rayana Azebo, Wollo.

She was educated at the Royal Infirmary Nursing School of Edinburgh.

She was the mother of five sons, Paul Wossen Seged Makonnen, Mikael Makonnen, Tefferi Makonnen, Beede Mariam Makonnen and the late Dawit Makonnen (also known as Makonnen Makonnen). In her day, Princess Sara was renowned as one of the most beautiful women at the Court of the Emperor of Ethiopia. She was widowed in 1957 when her husband, the Duke of Harar, was killed in a car accident.[3] She often accompanied the Emperor on foreign visits, and acted as one of his official hostesses along with Princess Tenagnework after the death of Empress Menen.

Princess Sara was imprisoned with the other women of the Imperial Family of Ethiopia in 1974, and was released from prison in 1988.[1] At the time of her death Princess Sara resided in Addis Ababa. Princess Sara's eldest son, Prince Paul Wossen Seged is second in line to the Ethiopian throne, and is expected eventually to become heir presumptive as the current claimant, Crown Prince Zera Yacob Amha Selassie has no legitimate son.

Princess Sara died on 17 February 2019, at the age of 90.[4]