Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1944–

James Michel belonged to the Seychelles People's United Party (later renamed the Seychelles People's Progressive Front) when its leader, France Albert René, became president in a 1977 coup. A colonel in the military, Michel retired from duty in 1993. He became vice-president under René in 1996 and took over the presidency when René stood down in 2004. Michel won 2006 presidential elections with nearly 54 percent of the vote.