Everything you need to know about Pretty Samuels

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Pretty Samuels is a South African businesswoman and she’s best known as the wife of Lebo M, the talented composer behind The Lion King. It sounds like their relationship has been in the spotlight, even appearing in a magistrate court in front of witnesses in February.

Relationships

Pretty Samuels, is in her 40s, she lives with her 58-year-old husband, Lebo M, at a golf estate in Blair Atholl, Johannesburg. They actually started dating after she became the president of the Lebo M Foundation. She’s quite knowledgeable about business and works as an executive in the corporate world. They met through a mutual friend and have been together ever since. It’s great to hear that they share a lot of common interests, especially in businesses. Pretty Samuels and Lebo M are also proud parents to their daughter, Nthabiseng Morake, and their 19-year-old son. And, her mother-in-law celebrated her 98th birthday in March 2023. Their family has had some significant moments, like attending their late son Thembalethu’s 21st commemoration in July 2023.

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Divorce

In 2023, Lebo Morake, the producer of The Lion King, made an announcement that he was divorcing his wife, Pretty Samuels-Morake. It seems like Lebo has had quite a few marriages, a total of five. Some of his ex-wives include Viveca Gibson, Nandi Ndlovu, and Angela Ngani-Casar. Lebo was even engaged twice, once to actress Zoe Mthiyane and another time to Malefu Ntsala. Lebo’s management released three statements about him serving Samuels-Morake with a divorce summons.

Pretty Samuels Lebo M’s wife is blaming a R187m US deal for their marital mess.

Pretty Samuels, believes that a R187-million payout from the US for the sale of his music catalogue is the reason behind their separation. She sought advice from her close associates after Lebo M, also known as Lebohang Morake, refused to provide spousal maintenance during their divorce proceedings in the Joburg High Court.
The associates, who preferred to remain anonymous, mentioned that he ended his relationship with Samuels because he is expecting to receive a $10-million payout from a US-based company interested in buying his valuable music catalogue.
According to the associates, Pretty Samuels believes that the $10-million offer has caused damage to their marriage. Lebo, on the other hand, seems to think that she may want a fair share of that amount. The associates mentioned that Samuels has known Lebo for at least 10 years and this sudden change in his behavior has left her searching for an explanation.

Pretty Samuels really opened up to her associates about her relationship with Lebo Morake. They shared that she started dating Morake after his turbulent marriage to Angela Casara ended. In August 2021, Morake proposed that they move in together, and Samuels agreed. They even traveled to Taiwan together in December and when they returned to South Africa, they formalized their relationship culturally. The associates claim that Morake approached Samuels’ family in KwaZulu-Natal on December 19, 2021, for lobola negotiations. While Morake partially fulfilled his cultural obligations by paying R20,000 to her family, it seems he failed to keep his promise of gifting her a piece of land in Glenvista.

In February 2022, they registered their union and lived in a luxurious nine-bedroom mansion in Blair Athol, Joburg. Samuels described it as “fit for a king.” Back in August 2021, Morake allegedly asked Samuels to leave her job and become his “right-hand man” in his businesses, Lebo M Production and Lebo M Foundation. She played an important role in these ventures. During happier times, Morake would deposit large sums of money into her account for personal expenses and home upkeep, as a symbol of his commitment. Samuels also received payment of R225,000 for her role in the show “Lebo M is Home,” which she used to renovate Morake’s apartment in Craigavon. However, the associates mentioned that Morake terminated her access to the Waterfall Estate and her financial benefits. Currently, Samuels relies on the support of family and friends for survival. She is seeking financial support from Morake, as he receives royalties from Disney for his music and productions. Additionally, Samuels wants a division of their estate, which includes a R5.5-million property in Pearls of Umhlanga and a R1.8-million property in Cedar Acres, Sandton. It’s a complex situation, and Samuels hopes for a fair resolution.