Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1936-

Ben Ali became involved in the Tunisian military after studying electrical engineering in college. He rose through the ranks of military and government. After spending time as director of military security and the leader of his party, he became the prime minister in 1987. Upon disagreeing with President Bourgiba, Ben Ali had him declared unfit to rule and took over his position as the head of the nation. Since that time he has made some democratic changes but has also been criticized of human-rights abuses to opponents.