Kibrom haile selassie biography

1. Biography of Haile Selassie I
2. Early Life and Rise to Power
3. Coronation and Reign
4. Downfall and Death

Biography of Haile Selassie I

Haile Selassie I was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He was born as Tafari Makonnen on July 23, 1892, to a prominent Ethiopian noble family. Despite his humble beginnings, Haile Selassie received a comprehensive education and developed a deep understanding of statecraft from an early age.

Early Life and Rise to Power

As a child, Haile Selassie was the tenth and youngest son of his family. His mother passed away when he was only two years old, and he belonged to a mixed heritage of Amhara, Oromo, and Gurage ethnicities. His father, Ras Makonnen Woldemikael, was a cousin of Emperor Menelik II, who ruled Ethiopia at the time. It seemed unlikely that Tafari would ever ascend to the Ethiopian throne. However, he studied governance and administration, receiving both home education from a Capuchin monk and attending a school for the children of the nobility.

In 1910 or 1911, after the deaths of his father and older brother, Tafari became the governor of the Harar province and one of the most influential nobles in Ethiopia. He married the niece of the heir to the throne, Lij Iyasu, and they had a close relationship. However, when Iyasu became Emperor Iyasu V and displayed a pro-Muslim stance, he was overthrown, ultimately leading to his deposition and death in 1916. Tafari became the regent under Empress Zewditu I, Iyasu's aunt, effectively wielding power in Ethiopia.

Coronation and Reign

On November 2, 1930, after the death of Empress Zewditu, Tafari was crowned as Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. He pursued an active foreign policy, asserting Ethiopia's importance on the international stage. However, his domestic policies were perceived as cautious and conservative. Despite rhetoric about improving the lives of the Ethiopian people, little progress was made in addressing societal inequalities.

During World War II, Haile Selassie led the resistance against Italian occupation and spent several years in exile. Upon his return, he continued his enlightened despotism, concentrating power in the hands of the nobility and himself. Ethiopia remained a feudal state, where even slavery was officially not abolished.

Downfall and Death

Throughout his reign, there were several attempted coups against Haile Selassie's regime, but they were unsuccessful. However, in 1974, amid a devastating famine, the military took power in Ethiopia. On August 28, 1975, it was announced in the press that former monarch Haile Selassie I had peacefully passed away from respiratory failure following complications from a previous operation. Many believed that he did not die a natural death, but no evidence could prove this.

In 1992, Haile Selassie's remains were discovered beneath the concrete floor of his palace, and in November 2000, his body was finally laid to rest in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.