Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and his wife Antonio Minnecola have spent many decades together, making fans curious about their relationship. The legendary Tabla player recently passed away at age 73 after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis complications. Although his illustrious career will always be cherished by fans, many are also eager to delve deep into his personal life.
So, who is Zakir Hussain‘s wife and how many kids do they have? Here’s all you need to know.
Who was Zakir Hussain married to?
Zakir Hussain was married to Antonia Minnecola.
Hussain and Minnecola’s paths first crossed over four decades ago. In 1978, they eventually tied the knot in an intimate ceremony. Although Hussain’s father approved of their bond, their marriage wasn’t well-received by his mother.
During an appearance on Rendezvous With Simi Garewal, he revealed that his mother had a difficult time accepting their marriage. So, they married privately without letting her know, in his father’s presence. “We didn’t tell her about our marriage until I was already married. But my father was there, he married us off in a Muslim ceremony. But the civil ceremony, which was the first one, no one knew. We just went and did it” (via The Times of India).
What is Antonia Minnecola’s job?
Antonia Minnecola is a leading Kathak dancer and teacher.
She kickstarted her Kathak career by opting for a fellowship from the American Institute of Indian Studies. Through this, she got to train under the guidance of the late iconic dancer, Sitara Devi, who made famous contributions to the world of classical Kathak.
After learning from the best for almost three decades, she continued showcasing her impressive kathak moves on different stages across the world including the Asian Pacific Performing Arts Festival and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. In addition, she has earned several honors over the years.
Zakir Hussain and Antonia Minnecola’s relationship history
In the 1970s, Hussain and Minnecola’s paths officially crossed in the US. At that time, both remained engrossed in honing their respective crafts but struck a connection. At first, Minnecola wasn’t sure to be in a relationship with Hussain but they eventually ended up being together. After marriage, they welcomed two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi (via Bollywood Shaadis.com).
