Her father was Denis Sassou Nguesso, who later served as the President of the Republic of the Congo (1979–1992 and 1997 to date).

Her marriage to President Bongo on August 4, 1989, was viewed politically as an example of cooperation between the two countries, according to Reuters.

She helped create a forum for African first ladies to fight AIDS and founded associations for vulnerable children and people with disabilities.

[1] After the state funeral in Libreville, Gabon, Édith Bongo's remains were taken to Edu, her father's home village in northern Congo for a traditional Mbochi tribal burial in the family cemetery there on March 20, 2009.

[3] Following her death, it was announced on Gabonese television on 6 May 2009 that Omar Bongo was "temporarily suspending his activities" as President in order to "regain strength and rest".