01/17/2026
Thought for 7s
Rosita Salvador Mabuiango was once the baby the world couldn’t stop talking about — the child born high in a tree above rising floodwaters during Mozambique’s devastating 2000 floods. Her survival made headlines everywhere. People called her the “miracle baby.”
Now, 25 years later, Rosita’s story has ended in heartbreak.
Her family says Rosita died in the early hours of January 12 after spending more than two weeks in the hospital. They shared that she had been battling severe anemia that worsened over time, and she was also fighting tuberculosis.
Rosita grew up in Chibuto, finished high school, and became a mother herself — welcoming a daughter about five years ago. Relatives say she carried big dreams, including studying petrochemical engineering, but a promised scholarship never materialized.
Leaders across Mozambique have remembered her as more than a viral moment from the past — calling her a symbol of strength and hope, especially for young girls. Local officials have reportedly stepped in to support her family and help with funeral arrangements.
From a life that began in floodwaters to a legacy that inspired millions, Rosita will be remembered as the girl who arrived as hope — and grew into a story the world won’t forget.
