Passion or Profession: Queen

Period: c. 1772–1861

The wife of King Radama I, Ranavalona I assumed the leadership of the Merina Kingdom upon his death. While her husband has supported the spread of European influence on Madagascar, Ranavalona I sought instead to isolate the island. She forced out the Christian missionaries, cut off trade with the British, and repelled French and British forces in 1845. After her death in 1861, her son and successor Radama II reversed his mother's policy and reestablished European ties.