Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

About

Former Tunisian president who originally took power in 1987 during a coup that ousted Habib Bourguiba. He was ultimately forcibly removed from office during the 2011 Tunisian Revolution, fleeing to Saudi Arabia amongst unrest and charges of corruption.

Before Fame

After training in France and the United States, he embarked on a career in the Tunisian military that lasted more than two decades.

Trivia

After leaving the presidency and moving to Saudi Arabia, he was sentenced in absentia to life in prison by Tunisian courts for crimes relating to violence and repression.

Family Life

He had six children from two marriages. Much of his family has been implicated in the corruption that ultimately led to the Tunisian Revolution, many of whom were arrested after Ben Ali left power.

Associated With

The role of president was taken over by Moncef Marzouki in 2011.