José Eduardo dos Santos - President of Angola, Timeline and Childhood
José Eduardo dos Santos's Personal Details
José dos Santos is one of the most famous political leaders in Africa and the longest serving President of Angola
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 28, 1942 |
| Nationality | Angolan |
| Famous | Democrats, Leaders, Presidents, President of Angola |
| Ideologies | Democrats |
| Spouses | Ana Paula dos Santos, Maria Luisa Abrantes Perdigao, Tatiana Kukanova |
| Known as | Jose Eduardo dos Santos |
| Childrens | Eduane Danilo Lemos dos Santos, Eduardo Breno Lemos dos Santos, Isabel dos Santos, José Avelino Gourgel dos Santos, José Eduardo Paulino dos Santos, José Filomeno dos Santos, Joseana Lemos dos Santos, Josiah dos Santos, Welwitschia José dos Santos |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Luanda |
| Political Ideology | Political party - Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Avelino Eduardo dos Santos |
| Mother | Jacinta José Paulino |
| Net Worth | $20 billion as of 18 February 2014 |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Born in | Luanda |
| Famous as | President of Angola |
José Eduardo dos Santos's photo
Who is José Eduardo dos Santos?
José dos Santos is the President of Angola, the seventh largest country of South Africa. As a young boy, he showed a strong interest in politics, joining the 'People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola' ('MPLA'), while he was still in school. He pursued his higher education from the 'Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute', eventually returning to his homeland. Once back home, he joined the 'MPLA' once again, and played a significant role in the Angolan struggle for independence from the Portuguese colonial rule. Soon after independence, he was made the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and later the Minister of Planning. Thereafter, he was appointed as the President of Angola, an office that he has been holding for the last thirty-six years. When he became the President, he was also made the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The following year, he became the President of the 'People's Assembly'. Initially he was popular, despite the civil war led by opposition political parties, but soon elections were withheld and the president continued to remain in office, without the votes of the citizens. The new constitution said that the leader of any party that wins the legislative elections will be announced as the President. Since 'MPLA' won recently, he was re-appointed as the President, and continues to serve in this capacity
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Childhood & Early Life
José Eduardo dos Santos was born to Avelino and his wife Jacinta Paulino, on August 28, 1942, in the Sambizanga district of Luanda, Angola. His parents were refugees from the island of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea.
Having received elementary education in Luanda, he pursued his secondary education from 'Liceu Salvador Correia', which is now known as ‘Mutu ya Kevela’.
While still in school, the young boy became a member of the political party 'People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola'. During the same period, the Portuguese were ruling the country, and owing to their suppression, José had to seek refuge in the neighbouring Republic of the Congo.
From Congo, he relocated to the Soviet Union, and in 1969, he graduated in radar communications and in petroleum engineering from the 'Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute' in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Career
In 1970, Santos came back to Angola, and re-joined the guerrilla troops of 'People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola' ('MPLA'). This branch of 'MPLA' was called the 'People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola' ('FAPLA').
He served as the radio transmitter of 'FAPLA', in the Cabinda Province, and four years later he was made sub-commander of the region's telecom branch.
As a representative of 'MPLA', he travelled to Congo, Yugoslavia, and China, subsequently becoming a member of the 'Central Committee' and 'Politburo' of the MPLA, in Moxico, Angola.
In 1975, José took over the administration of 'Department of Foreign Affairs' and the 'Department of Health', belonging to the 'MPLA'. When Angola attained freedom from the Portuguese rule, the 'MPLA' came into power.
However a civil war broke out, led by the opposition parties 'National Union for the Total Independence of Angola' ('UNITA') and 'National Liberation Front of Angola' ('FNLA').
The political leader became the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, in 1975, and three years later he was appointed as the Minister of Planning.
On September 10, 1979, José became the President of the 'MPLA', and ten days later, he was sworn in as the President of Angola. During the same period, he was also made the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The next year, November 9, 1980, the President was appointed as the speaker of the ‘People's Assembly’.
In the 1992 presidential elections, the President of Angola defeated his opposition candidate Jonas Savimbi. However, a second round of elections was held since neither had received 50% votes.
The elections were believed to have been rigged, and innumerable protestors were killed by the 'MPLA' army. This three-day war resulting in the death of protestors came to be known as the 'Halloween Massacre'.
Following the massacre, Savimbi gave up the elections to join the on-going civil war, and Santos continued to serve as the President of the country.
In 2001, the President declared his decision to retire from the post after the next elections. Two years later, he was once again appointed as the President of 'MPLA', and no subsequent elections were held.
In the legislative elections of 2008, 'MPLA' won by a majority, and set about preparing a new constitution. According to the amendments made, the head of the political party that wins most number of seats in the Parliament would be appointed as the President.
The President co-founded the 'African Countries Diamond Producers Association' in November 2006, with the aim of helping in the growth of foreign investment in the diamond industry of almost twenty African countries.
When the 'MPLA' won most of the seats in the 2012 parliamentary elections, José remained in office, according to the rules of the new constitution.
During his political career, this President has also faced controversy, where he has been accused of building up his wealth at the cost of the standard of living of citizens of Angola. When the Parliament prohibited the President from investing in companies, the political leader made his daughter plough money instead.
Major Works
The President, who has been in office since 1979, is known for having played a major role in the independence movement of Angola, and also in promoting peace and democracy in the country.
Awards & Achievements
In 2014, the magazine 'Africa World' named the Angolan President 'Man of the Year', honouring his contribution to the democracy and economy of Angola.
Personal Life & Legacy
The President has been married thrice, and has six children. Presently, he is married to Ana Paula dos Santos, who used to be a fashion model and airhostess of the Angolan presidential aircraft.
Amongst his children, the most famous are José Filomeno, a son with second wife Luísa Perdigão Abrantes, and Isabel, daughter of his first wife Tatiana Kukanova. Isabel is one of the richest businesswomen in Africa and Filomeno is the Chairman of Angola’s monetary fund.
In 2014, Patrício Batsîkam, an Angolan historian published a book, 'José Eduardo dos Santos e a ideia da Nação Angolana' ('José Eduardo dos Santos and the idea of the Angolan Nation'), delving into the regime of the President.
Net Worth
It is estimated that the President of Angola has a net worth of 20 billion dollars.
Trivia
According to government reports, in 2010, this President of Angola narrowly escaped being assassinated, when a car containing weapons obstructed his vehicle. The President’s bodyguard fired at two passengers in the other car, killing them, and later discovered the hidden arms
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José Eduardo dos Santos biography timelines
- // 28th Aug 1942José Eduardo dos Santos was born to Avelino and his wife Jacinta Paulino, on August 28, 1942, in the Sambizanga district of Luanda, Angola. His parents were refugees from the island of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea.
- // 1969From Congo, he relocated to the Soviet Union, and in 1969, he graduated in radar communications and in petroleum engineering from the 'Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute' in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
- // 1970In 1970, Santos came back to Angola, and re-joined the guerrilla troops of 'People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola' ('MPLA'). This branch of 'MPLA' was called the 'People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola' ('FAPLA').
- // 1975In 1975, José took over the administration of 'Department of Foreign Affairs' and the 'Department of Health', belonging to the 'MPLA'. When Angola attained freedom from the Portuguese rule, the 'MPLA' came into power.
- // 1975The political leader became the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, in 1975, and three years later he was appointed as the Minister of Planning.
- // 1979The President, who has been in office since 1979, is known for having played a major role in the independence movement of Angola, and also in promoting peace and democracy in the country.
- // 10th Sep 1979On September 10, 1979, José became the President of the 'MPLA', and ten days later, he was sworn in as the President of Angola. During the same period, he was also made the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
- // 9th Nov 1980The next year, November 9, 1980, the President was appointed as the speaker of the ‘People's Assembly’.
- // 1992In the 1992 presidential elections, the President of Angola defeated his opposition candidate Jonas Savimbi. However, a second round of elections was held since neither had received 50% votes.
- // 2001In 2001, the President declared his decision to retire from the post after the next elections. Two years later, he was once again appointed as the President of 'MPLA', and no subsequent elections were held.
- // Nov 2006The President co-founded the 'African Countries Diamond Producers Association' in November 2006, with the aim of helping in the growth of foreign investment in the diamond industry of almost twenty African countries.
- // 2008In the legislative elections of 2008, 'MPLA' won by a majority, and set about preparing a new constitution. According to the amendments made, the head of the political party that wins most number of seats in the Parliament would be appointed as the President.
- // 2010According to government reports, in 2010, this President of Angola narrowly escaped being assassinated, when a car containing weapons obstructed his vehicle. The President’s bodyguard fired at two passengers in the other car, killing them, and later discovered the hidden arms
- // 2012When the 'MPLA' won most of the seats in the 2012 parliamentary elections, José remained in office, according to the rules of the new constitution.
- // 2014In 2014, the magazine 'Africa World' named the Angolan President 'Man of the Year', honouring his contribution to the democracy and economy of Angola.
- // 2014In 2014, Patrício Batsîkam, an Angolan historian published a book, 'José Eduardo dos Santos e a ideia da Nação Angolana' ('José Eduardo dos Santos and the idea of the Angolan Nation'), delving into the regime of the President.
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José Eduardo dos Santos's FAQ
What is José Eduardo dos Santos birthday?
José Eduardo dos Santos was born at 1942-08-28
Where is José Eduardo dos Santos's birth place?
José Eduardo dos Santos was born in Luanda
What is José Eduardo dos Santos nationalities?
José Eduardo dos Santos's nationalities is Angolan
What is José Eduardo dos Santos ideologies?
José Eduardo dos Santos's ideologies is Democrats
Who is José Eduardo dos Santos spouses?
José Eduardo dos Santos's spouses is Ana Paula dos Santos, Maria Luisa Abrantes Perdigao, Tatiana Kukanova
Who is José Eduardo dos Santos childrens?
José Eduardo dos Santos's childrens is Eduane Danilo Lemos dos Santos, Eduardo Breno Lemos dos Santos, Isabel dos Santos, José Avelino Gourgel dos Santos, José Eduardo Paulino dos Santos, José Filomeno dos Santos, Joseana Lemos dos Santos, Josiah dos Santos, Welwitschia José dos Santos
What was José Eduardo dos Santos universities?
José Eduardo dos Santos studied at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy
What is José Eduardo dos Santos's political ideology?
José Eduardo dos Santos's political ideology is Political party - Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
What is José Eduardo dos Santos's religion?
José Eduardo dos Santos's religion is Catholicism
Who is José Eduardo dos Santos's father?
José Eduardo dos Santos's father is Avelino Eduardo dos Santos
Who is José Eduardo dos Santos's mother?
José Eduardo dos Santos's mother is Jacinta José Paulino
What is José Eduardo dos Santos's sun sign?
José Eduardo dos Santos is Virgo
How famous is José Eduardo dos Santos?
José Eduardo dos Santos is famouse as President of Angola