Is it necessary to make normal wudu before ghusl?

My spouse says that one should first wash the private parts, make wudu and then make intention (niyyah) to make ghusl; after that, one should rinse his mouth and nose, and wash the whole body... I could not find the answers I wanted on the internet. After starting with bismillah, I cleaned my private parts and made intention to make ghusl. Then, I made normal prayer wudu by rinsing my mouth and nose thoroughly; after that, I washed my whole body. I used to make wudu after making ghusl. They say that deeds depend upon the intentions, but what is the best thing to do?

Dear Brother / Sister,

First of all, it is fard to rinse the mouth and nose and to wash the whole body in ghusl. It is sunnah to make an intention, to say bismillah and to make wudu before ghusl. Your ghusl is valid even if you do not do any of those sunnahs. Your ghusl is valid.

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