Mogae was born Barbara Gemma Modise.
[1] The couple have three daughters born between 1969 and 1987 namely Nametso, Chedza and Boikaego.
[2] Barbara Mogae served as the country's third First Lady from 1998 until 2008.
[3] On 29 September 2016 Mogae was honored with the Golden Jubilee Presidential Order of Honour Award by President Ian Khama as one of the "Builders of Botswana.
"[4] Other recipients included her husband, Festus Mogae; posthumous honors for the late former First Ladies Ruth Williams Khama and Gladys Olebile Masire; the late former President Seretse Khama, former President Quett Masire; and the 28 members of the country's first, post-independence Parliament.