Bourguiba, Habib ben Ali

Tunisian politician, first president of Tunisia 1957–87. He became prime minister in 1956 and president (for life from 1975) and prime minister of the Tunisian republic in 1957; he was overthrown in a bloodless coup in 1987.

Bourguiba was the youngest of seven children and was educated at the University of Paris. He became a journalist and leader of the nationalist Néo-Destour party. Due to his nationalist aspirations, he was imprisoned by the French protectorate of Tunisia 1934–36, 1938–43, and 1952–55. Although he was an autocrat, his rule as president was both moderate and progressive.