François Duvalier

Description: (Politician, Physician)

François "Papa Doc" Duvalier was the 32nd President of Haiti. Although his 14 years rule as president was marked with totalitarianism, despotism and terror and any kind of political dissent from alleged foes were suppressed causing almost 30,000 deaths, Haiti as a nation attained an unprecedented level of political stabilisation in its history. Duvalier was a medical practitioner before his presidency and earned the nickname "Papa Doc" for his expertise as a physician. He backed President of Haïti Dumarsais Estimé, and served as Undersecretary of Labor and Minister of Public Health and Labor under him. Estimé was later unseated by a military junta under Paul E. Magloire who eventually held presidency. Duvalier gradually developed resistance against Magloire and emerged as main opposition figure. In 1957, he got elected as President of Haiti. He created the Haitian paramilitary force Tonton Macoute that randomly killed his opponents. The force’s terror was such that the Haitians even refrained from expressing their dissent in private. Duvalier was re-elected uncontested in a 1961 election. He later declared himself President for Life in 1964. His son Jean Claude succeeded him as President of Haiti following his death.

Overview

Birthday April 14, 1907 (Aries)
Born In Haiti
Alternative names Papa Doc
City Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Died on April 21, 1971
Spouse/Ex- Simone Duvalier
Parents

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What was François Duvalier known for? François Duvalier, also known as Papa Doc, was a Haitian politician who served as the President of Haiti from 1957 to 1971. He was known for his authoritarian rule and the establishment of a brutal dictatorship.
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