François Duvalier, also known as “Papa Doc,” was born on April 14, 1907, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and died there on April 21, 1971. He was president of Haiti for 14 years, marked by unprecedented duration and a regime of terror. Duvalier, a trained physician, initially worked in public health, notably leading an anti-yaws campaign. He rose to prominence through his support for President Dumarsais Estimé and eventually held the position of minister of public health and labor.
After Estimé was overthrown in 1950, Duvalier opposed the new military junta and, by 1954, had become a significant opposition figure. He was elected president in 1957, promoting popular reform and black nationalism. To consolidate power, he reduced the army’s size and created the Tontons Macoutes, a notorious paramilitary force that helped suppress opposition.
Duvalier’s rule was characterized by corruption, repression, and terror, resulting in nearly 30,000 deaths and significant political stabilization. Despite international isolation and several coup attempts, he declared himself president for life in 1964. Duvalier’s regime continued until his death in 1971, after which his son, Jean-Claude Duvalier, took over.
