Haile Selassie
Haile Selassie was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974 and played a key role in modernizing his country.
Tafari Makonnen
Emperor
July 23, 1892
Leo
August 27, 1975
83
Ejarsagoro, Harar, Ethiopia
Tafari Makonnen, better known as Haile Selassie I, served as the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He was a key figure in modernizing Ethiopia and played a significant role in African politics after World War II. Selassie opposed Italian colonization and was a strong advocate for pan-Africanism. He contributed to the founding of the Organization of African Unity and was instrumental in the establishment of the United Nations. Among his notable works are “Ethiopia: The Fall of Haile Selassie’s Empire” and “My Life and Ethiopia’s Progress.” A passionate animal lover, Selassie had a particular fondness for horses, maintaining a stable of over 1,000. His accomplishments include resisting colonization, promoting African unity, and contributing to international organizations.