Muammar Gaddafi

Muammar Gaddafi, a charismatic, complex, and proud leader, has ruled Libya since he and his followers staged a coup in 1969 to overthrow Libya’s aging King Idris. Gaddafi was born in Bedouin tent in 1942, during World War II. His parents were poor, supported by farming and a small herd of goats and camels. As a youngster, Gaddafi listened to his father’s stories about the Italian occupation of Libya and Libyan resistance. When he was about seven years old, his family hired a religious tutor. Later, he attended elementary and secondary school but, because of his poverty and Bedouin background, he was treated like an outcast. All of these experiences contributed to Gaddafi’s character: He grew up to be a devoutly religious man, proud of his Bedouin roots, concerned about Libya’s poor, and devoted to the Libyan independence. In 1963 Gaddafi attended the Military Academy in Benghazi and became an army officer; graduating in 1965. While at the academy, he and a group of fellow officers formed a secret committee that plotted the overthrow of King Idris. In 1969 these plans were finally put into action, and Gaddafi led a successful coup against the government and became Libya’s new leader. He remains Libya’s leader today.