Zahnita Wilson Lets Go of Custody of Her 4 Children: “I Believe He Can Take Good Care of Them” — and Yes, She’s Engaged to a Mystery “F”
KUALA LUMPUR — Actress-model Zahnita Wilson, 41, has confirmed two life-changing developments: she has voluntarily handed custody of her four children to her ex-husband, Abdul Zackery Ghouse Abdul Gafor — and she is now engaged to a man whose identity she keeps private, revealing only that his name begins with the letter “F”.
On one side, a mother who lets go with tears and monthly visits to Kuantan; on the other, a woman at 41 embracing a new chapter of happiness. Together, the two revelations have set Malaysia’s entertainment pages alight.
- The StarZahnita Wilson (Zahnita Dorothy Hussein Wilson), 41 — actress and model known for Gila-Gila Pengantin Remaja; founder of the Humble Pie pastry brand.
- Ex-HusbandAbdul Zackery Ghouse Abdul Gafor, 48, a businessman. Married in 2005; divorced in August 2025.
- ChildrenFour: Zahrafeena (19), Zasharayna (14), Zahlia Syawwal (9) and Abd Zayden (5).
- CustodyGranted to the father by the Kuantan Syariah High Court in April 2026 — voluntarily, Zahnita insists.
- New LoveEngaged to a widower with no children, outside the entertainment industry; his name starts with ‘F’.
Not a Lack of Love, but a Choice: Why She Let Go
Speaking on the sidelines of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2026, Zahnita told Harian Metro that the decision was entirely voluntary, made after weighing her current circumstances — above all, her ex-husband’s greater financial stability.
I handed over custody of the children to my ex-husband willingly because I believe he is capable of taking good care of them. I feel he is more financially capable, while I do not yet have a truly stable income. I am doing all this for the children’s future. — Zahnita Wilson
Letting go, she admits, was never easy. “Of course I’m sad. What mother doesn’t love her children? But I had to set my ego aside for their happiness.” There are days she cries from missing them, she confided — yet she is learning to accept her new life and to treasure time for herself. She can still see the children anytime, meeting them at least once a month in Kuantan, and although communication with her ex-husband is infrequent, everything concerning the children is still discussed when needed.
The Ex-Husband’s Side: “She Willingly Handed Them Over — We Have Both Moved On”
Zackery had earlier gone public on social media to set the record straight — not, he stressed, to embarrass anyone or chase publicity, but to stop the speculation. During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, he said, Zahnita left the children with him to celebrate with her family — and never picked them up afterwards, saying she needed time for work. She then went to court and asked to hand full custody to him.
She willingly handed the children over to me. There was no coercion from me at all. I actually received this decision back in April. Since everyone kept asking about our relationship and status, I made a post to make it clear — we have both moved on. — Abdul Zackery Ghouse Abdul Gafor
- Zahnita marries Zackery; the couple go on to have four children.
- The couple divorce, ending a marriage of two decades.
- Zahnita leaves the children in their father’s care; they are not returned after the festivities.
- The Kuantan Syariah High Court grants custody to Zackery; Zahnita insists it was voluntary.
- Zahnita confirms her engagement — fiancé’s identity private, name starting with ‘F’.
A New Chapter: Engaged to a Widower Outside the Industry
Beyond the custody story, Zahnita shared joyful news: she is officially engaged, following a ceremony held recently, to a man she has known for only a few months.
Yes, I’m engaged. Alhamdulillah, I’m now in a happy phase. Very happy. For now, I’m not ready to introduce who he is to the public. He is not from the industry. It’s enough for me to say his initial is ‘F’. — Zahnita Wilson
Her fiancé, she described, is very understanding and very caring — “he makes me feel safe” — and the ease of their communication is what gave her the confidence to move to the next phase. He is a widower with no children, entirely outside the entertainment circle.
Humble Pie, and Learning to Enjoy Life
On the home front, Zahnita’s pastry brand Humble Pie is still running — but she has stepped back from the physical shop and now works from home. “I just want to relax. It’s not easy running a business, on top of all the other drama. Now is the time to enjoy my life.” Life without the children around, she laughed, is “a little boring” — but she is learning to accept it, and to appreciate the time she now has for herself.
Zahnita Wilson: Quick FAQ
Why did Zahnita Wilson give up custody of her four children?
Can she still see her children?
Who is her fiancé?
When were the divorce and the custody ruling?
Who is Zahnita Wilson?
The Bottom Line: Letting Go Can Also Be a Shape of Love
In the headline economy, “giving up custody” is easily flattened into a cold one-liner. Read in full, what emerges is a mother making the hardest of choices between tears and reason — and a woman choosing happiness again at 41. Whatever the commentary, the children’s future and her own peace are the only footnotes to this decision.
How do you view Zahnita’s decision to hand over custody? How should divorced parents keep the children’s interests first? Share your thoughts — respectfully — in the comments.
※ Photos courtesy of Mingguan Wanita. Compiled from Mingguan Wanita, SinarPlus, Newswav and the New Straits Times.
