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Heads of government

People who have led governments.

People in Heads of government

13 profiles

Helping end apartheid and becoming South Africa’s first Black president.

Being a racist bigot and responsible for the orders that led to the Bengal famine of 1943, in which an estimated three million people died.

Leading the United States through the Great Depression and most of the Second World War.

Commanding the Continental Army and becoming the first US president.

Leading the United States through the Cuban Missile Crisis and setting the Moon-landing goal.

Serving as Germany’s chancellor for sixteen years.

Becoming Britain’s first female prime minister and reshaping its economy through privatisation and limits on trade-union power.

Commanding the Allied invasion of Western Europe in 1944 and serving as the 34th US president.

Serving as US secretary of state and becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major American party.

Serving as independent India’s first prime minister from 1947 to 1964.

Becoming India’s first woman prime minister and a powerful, deeply contested political leader.

Founding the People’s Republic of China and ruling through revolutionary campaigns that caused immense suffering.

Leading Congo's independence movement and becoming its first prime minister after Belgian colonial rule.