Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1946–

Bozizé was born in Gabon but entered military training in the Central African Republic. He began rising through the ranks, and in 1978 he became a brigadier general. Despite general governmental turbulence, Bozizé continued to rise in government and military positions. Although he backed several coups and ran for president, he did not gain full control of the country until 2003, when he led a coup that ousted President Ange-Félix Patassé. In 2005, Bozizé held presidential elections, which he won.