Passion or Profession: Former president

Period: 1905–1993

Houphouët-Boigny was a doctor before he became involved in politics. But once he entered Ivory Coast's political scene, he dominated it like no one else has before or since. When Ivory Coast gained independence from France in 1960, Houphouët-Boigny became its first president. His policies of allowing a slow transfer of power, encouraging foreign investment, and accepting French aid helped make Ivory Coast one of Africa's richest nations, and helped him stay in power until his death in 1993.