- Emerged from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which carried out an armed struggle against the Communist military regime in 1970s and 1980s
- Became president in a transitional government in 1991 and then prime minister in 1995
- Married another TPLF veteran, Azeb Mesfin, and had three children
- Under his leadership, a closed and secretive country gradually opened to the outside world
- But reputation tarnished in 2000s amid increasing repression in Ethiopia
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| Under his leadership, Ethiopia's international clout grew. He is seen here addressing the Millennium Development Goals Summit at the UN in New York in 2010. |
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| An advocate of development, he wooed foreign states for investment. Here he attends a development summit in Nairobi in 2008. |
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| Mr Meles, seen here with his wife Azeb Mesfin, told the BBC in 1998 that the fact he was rarely seen smiling was no indication of his love of the job. "I wouldn’t be here if I was unhappy. I find the job very fulfilling but I don’t find the job a picnic... I find this job more fulfilling than any other job that I can imagine." |
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| Under Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia grew in importance as a regional power. He twice sent soldiers to fight al-Qaeda-linked militants in neighbouring Somalia. |
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| His critics accused him of repressing opposition. Opponents demonstrated when he visited London in 2009. |
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| For some, he led a "fascist regime". These Ethiopians are chanting protest slogans in Washington in November 2005, as post-election violence rages in Ethiopia. BBC. |
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