Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian politician and economist who made history as the first woman ever to be democratically elected head of state in Africa. She served as the 24th President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, leading the nation’s post-war reconstruction and recovery efforts. Internationally known as “Africa’s Iron Lady,” she was a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ellen Eugenia Johnson Sirleaf |
| Born | October 29, 1938, Monrovia, Liberia |
| Title/Nickname | Africa’s Iron Lady |
| Political Party | Unity Party |
| Education | M.P.A., Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (1971) |
| Presidential Term | January 16, 2006 – January 22, 2018 |
| Key Award | Nobel Peace Prize (2011) |
Early Career, Exile, and Resilience
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Education and Economics: Sirleaf received her education in Liberia and the United States, earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University in 1971. A trained economist, she brought a strong financial background to her political life.
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Minister of Finance: She first entered government service in 1972 and served as the Minister of Finance from 1979 to 1980 under President William Tolbert. She gained a reputation for personal financial integrity and clashed with leaders over government mismanagement.
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Exile and International Finance: Following the 1980 military coup led by Samuel Doe, Sirleaf fled Liberia. Over the next two decades, as Liberia descended into civil war, she worked in high-level positions in international finance, including Vice President for Citibank’s Africa Regional Office, Senior Loan Officer at the World Bank, and as an Assistant Administrator at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
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Opposition and Imprisonment: Despite periods of exile, she repeatedly returned to Liberia to challenge authoritarian rule, leading to her imprisonment and a sentence of 10 years for sedition in 1985 (though she was later released and allowed to leave the country). She also finished second in the controversial 1997 presidential election, which was won by warlord Charles Taylor.
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The Historic Presidency (2006–2018)
Sirleaf won the 2005 presidential election, two years after the end of the devastating Second Liberian Civil War. She was successfully re-elected in 2011.
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Post-War Reconciliation: Her primary focus was on reconciliation, economic recovery, and nation-building after 14 years of civil conflict. She established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address past atrocities and ethnic tensions.
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Economic Achievements: Using her background as an economist, Sirleaf successfully negotiated the cancellation of Liberia’s $4.6 billion external debt and secured millions of dollars in foreign investment and aid, significantly raising the national budget.
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Ebola Crisis: During her second term, her administration led the national response to the devastating 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, working with international partners to contain the crisis.
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Peaceful Transition: In 2018, she oversaw the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power between two Liberian presidents in more than seven decades, stepping down after George Weah won the election.
Nobel Peace Prize (2011)
Sirleaf was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, sharing it with fellow Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman.
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Reason for the Award: The prize was given “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”
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Role in Peace: Sirleaf was recognized for successfully leading a nation ravaged by war and ensuring the inclusion of women’s voices in the recovery and political process.
Legacy
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s legacy is defined by her pioneering role as the first elected female president in Africa and her commitment to stabilizing a country that had known only war and dictatorship for decades. She is celebrated globally for her leadership in promoting democracy, economic development, and women’s empowerment, particularly through the establishment of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center for Women and Development after leaving office.