Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1967–

Born in Tbilisi and educated as a lawyer abroad, Saakashvili returned to Georgia to become a member of parliament in 1995. He was appointed justice minister in 2000 but soon split with his mentor, President Eduard Shevardnadze. Saakashvili led protests against Shevardnadze following a disputed election in 2003, forcing Shevardnadze to step down. Saakashvili was then elected president by an overwhelming margin in 2004.