Mrs Grace Adichie, the mother of Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is dead.

She was aged 78.

A family spokesperson, who confirmed the death of Mrs Grace, said the septuagenarian died on Monday, 1 March 2021 at their hometown in Awka, Anambra State.

Mrs Grace’s death comes months after her husband, James Nwoye Adichie – a renowned professor of Statistics and erudite scholar – died at the age of 88 on June 10, 2020.

The family spokesman described Mrs Grace’s death as sudden and devastating as the cause of death remains unknown.

“It was very sudden and we are devastated,” the spokesman said of Mrs Grace who died on her husband’s posthumous 89th birthday.

The deceased leaves behind her six children: Ijeoma, Uchenna, Chuks, Okechukwu, Chimamanda – the Hall of a Yellow Sun writer – and Kenechukwu; as well as nine grandchildren, in-laws and many relatives.

The family is expected to announce Mrs Grace’s funeral arrangements at a later date.