Félix Houphouët-Boigny

Félix Houphouët-Boigny, affectionately called Papa Houphouët or Le Vieux, was the first president of Ivory Coast, serving for more than three decades until his death. A tribal chief, he worked as a medical aide, union leader and planter before being elected to the French Parliament. He served in several ministerial positions within the French government before leading Côte d'Ivoire following independence in 1960. Throughout his life, he played a significant role in politics and the decolonization of Africa.