Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1949–

Born in the village of Imerikasina, near Antananarivo, Marc Ravalomanana is a self-made millionaire and owner of the nation's largest locally-owned company, an oil and dairy business. In 1999, he was elected the mayor of Antananarivo. When he ran for president in 2001, neither he nor incumbent Didier Ratsiraka won the majority necessary to win the election outright. Ravalomanana declared himself president, but Ratsiraka refused to relinquish power. Civil war was averted when, following a vote recount, Madagascar's high court declared Ravalomanana the winner.