The Resume

(August 3, 1903-April 6, 2000)
Born in Monastir, Tunisia
Imprisoned for advocating Tunisian independence from France (1934-36,1938-40,1952-55)
First president of Tunisia (1957-87)
Named President for Life (1975)
Overthrown in a bloodless coup on the grounds that he had become too senile to rule

Why he might be annoying:

Asked to describe Tunisia's system of government, he replied, 'The system? I am the system.'
He tried to create a political union with Muammar Gaddafi's Libya (1974).
He let the PLO set up headquarters in Tunis after they were forced out of Beirut.
His rule became increasingly erratic as his health deteriorated.
He appointed two men simultaneously as UN ambassador, and fired a minister of culture after only 30 minutes in office.
When his wife opposed one of his appointments, he divorced her.

Why he might not be annoying:

He rejected an attempt by Germany during WWII to convince him to lead Tunisia into the Axis camp.
He improved women's rights in Tunisia, banning polygamy and making marriage a contract in which both wives and husbands had rights.
He also established free education and health care and launched campaigns to promote literacy and family planning.
He was one of the first Arab leaders to call for a 'just and lasting peace' in the Middle East in which Israel's right to exist would be recognized.
He was compared to Kemal Ataturk for his pro-Western stance and modernization efforts.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 36]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [August] (Ranked: 8031903)
• Dictator's Club
• I Adopted a Child
• I Died in 2000 (Ranked: 96)
• I Died in the City I Was Born In
• I Have Dementia/Alzheimer's
• I Have Insomnia
• I Named My Kid After Myself
• Look at Me, I Got a Microphone
• Look at Me, It's This Big
• Profiles 31251-31500 (Ranked: 31344)
• They Named an Airport in My Honor

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 36 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 65 Votes: 72.31% Annoying