Robert Mugabe

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Robert Mugabe

Q: What is Robert Mugabe best known for?

Robert Mugabe is best known for being a Black nationalist leader and the longtime ruler of Zimbabwe —first as prime minister (1980–87), then as president (1987–2017)—who was pressured by military and political powers to step down amid concerns that he was trying to position his wife, Grace, to succeed him.

Q: How did Robert Mugabe come to power?

One of the leading Black nationalist figures in the decades-long fight against the white-minority-led-government of Rhodesia (later renamed Zimbabwe ), Robert Mugabe was tapped to serve as prime minister when Black majority rule was achieved in 1980. He further solidified his position of power by becoming president in 1987.

Q: When was Robert Mugabe in power?

Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for about 37 years: first as prime minister, from 1980 to 1987, and then as president, from 1987 until 2017, when he resigned under political and military pressure.

Q: Where is Robert Mugabe buried?

Robert Mugabe was buried in the village of his birth—Kutama, Zimbabwe .

president of Zimbabwe

Also known as: Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 20, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

In full:: Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Born:: February 21, 1924, Kutama, Southern Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe]

Died:: September 6, 2019, Singapore (aged 95)

Title / Office:: president (1987-2017), Zimbabwe; prime minister (1980-1987), Zimbabwe

Founder:: Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front

What is Robert Mugabe best known for?

How did Robert Mugabe come to power?

When was Robert Mugabe in power?

Where is Robert Mugabe buried?

News •

Zimbabwe launches new land policy to empower Black farmers with direct farm ownership • Dec. 20, 2024, 1:04 PM ET (AP)

Robert Mugabe (born February 21, 1924, Kutama, Southern Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe]—died September 6, 2019, Singapore) was the first prime minister (1980–87) of the reconstituted state of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia. A Black nationalist of Marxist persuasion, he eventually established one-party rule in his country, becoming executive president of Zimbabwe in 1987. He resigned on November 21, 2017, after succumbing to political and military pressure. The son of a village carpenter, Mugabe was trained as a teacher in a Roman Catholic mission school. He was introduced to nationalist politics while he was a student at the University College of Fort Hare, South ...(100 of 2588 words)

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