His second wife and widow, Woizero (Mrs.) Kefey Taffere, died in April 1999 having subsequently remarried. Woizero Kefey as a descendant of the Zagwe Dynasty, was a member of the Wagshum family, which by the Imperial decree of Yikuno Amlak I are only second to the restored Solomonic Dynasty in their claims to the Imperial Throne of Ethiopia. She was a member of the upper levels of the Ethiopian aristocracy. General Mengistu is survived by his two sons, Neway Mengistu and Germame Mengistu.