Late Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain died on December 15, Sunday, in the US, leaving fans and admirers deeply heartbroken. Zakir was hospitalised due to serious heart-related health issues.

He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, and their daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Zakir and Antonia fell in love when he was exploring his musical career in the US.

They revealed that they tied the knot eight years after they met each other. But, despite being together for so long, their families weren’t too happy about the decision as Hussain was an Indian Muslim and Minnecola, an Italian-American. “My father had passed away and my mother was wanting us to get married.

Image: The Indian Express

Zakir Hussain’s fans and well-wishers know everything about his professional feat, but not much is known about his personal life. For the unversed, Zakir was married to the dynamic Kathak dancer, Antonia Minnecola. She was also his manager. The duo tied the knot in 1978 and were proud parents to two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.