Robert Mugabe

21 February 1924 – 6 September 2019

Robert Mugabe was a Zimbabwean politician who led the country from independence in 1980 until 2017, first as Prime Minister and from 1987 as Executive President. A former teacher, he was imprisoned for a decade in Rhodesia and then led the ZANU guerrilla campaign from Mozambique. His later years in office were marked by the fast-track land reform programme, economic collapse and hyperinflation, and he resigned in November 2017 during a military intervention.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Robert Mugabe.

Life events

Born at Kutama Mission, Southern Rhodesia
21 February 1924

Born on 21 February 1924 in the Zvimba district.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Graduated from the University of Fort Hare
1951

He earned a bachelor's degree in South Africa and went on to collect several further degrees, some by correspondence while in prison.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Sally Hayfron
1961 – 27 January 1992

He met her while teaching in Ghana; she remained his wife until her death in 1992.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Detained by the Rhodesian government
1964 – 1974

He was held without trial for about ten years and was released in late 1974.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Moved to Mozambique to lead the ZANU guerrilla campaign
1975

He directed the Rhodesian Bush War from exile until the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe at independence
18 April 1980 – 31 December 1987

ZANU-PF won the 1980 election and he took office as the country's first prime minister.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Executive President of Zimbabwe
31 December 1987 – 21 November 2017

Constitutional changes abolished the office of prime minister and created an executive presidency.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Launched the fast-track land reform programme
2000

White-owned commercial farms were seized and redistributed, and agricultural output and the economy contracted sharply.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Resigned as President of Zimbabwe
21 November 2017

He stepped down during impeachment proceedings following a military intervention, and was succeeded by Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Singapore
6 September 2019

He died at a hospital where he had been receiving treatment, aged 95.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓