Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Meles Zenawi

Role / Field:

Ethiopian politician who served as Prime Minister from 1995 until his death in 2012.

Born:

1955-05-08

Died:

2012-08-20

Century / Era:

1955s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Meles Zenawi Asres (Tigrigna and Amharic: መለስ ዜናዊ ኣስረስ; pronounced [mɛllɛs zenawi asrɛs] ; born Legesse Zenawi Asres; 9 May 1955 – 20 August 2012) was an Ethiopian politician and former rebel militant commander who served as president of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995 and as prime minister from 1995 until his death in 2012. Born in Adwa to an Ethiopian father and an Eritrean mother, Meles became actively involved in politics after changing his original first name from Legesse to Meles, adopted following the execution of fellow university student Meles Takele by the Derg government in 1975. In that year, he left Haile Selassie I University to join the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and fight against the Derg (the Mengistu Haile Mariam-led military dictatorship in Ethiopia). In 1989, he became the chairman of the TPLF, and the head of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) after its formation in 1988.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After leading the EPRDF to victory in the Ethiopian Civil War, he served as president of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995, then as the 2nd prime minister of Ethiopia from 1995 to his death in 2012. Meles Zenawi's administration brought...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1955 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1955
• May 8 (05-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 8
• 2012 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2012
• August 20 (08-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 20

Frequently Asked Questions about Meles Zenawi