ኃይለ፡ ሥላሴ Täfäri መኮንን
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Haile Selassie became Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 after serving as Regent for Empress Zewditu. He led Ethiopia during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War in 1935 and addressed the League of Nations in 1936. Selassie is the central figure in Rastafari, a movement that considers him a messiah. He reigned until 1974 and died in 1975. He founded the Organization of African Unity in 1963.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Haile Selassie — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Haile Selassie by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Haile Selassie — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
On 23 July 1892 in Harar, Ethiopian Empire, Tafari Makonnen was born. His father, Ras Mekonnen Welde Mikael, was a governor and general, cousin of Emperor Menelik II. His mother was Yeshimebet Ali.
After his father died in 1906, Tafari was appointed governor of Gara Mulatta at age 14 and later governor of Sidamo. He studied with European tutors and Ethiopian scholars, learning Amharic and French. These early roles prepared him for higher office.
Selassie served as Regent Plenipotentiary for Empress Zewditu from 1916, modernizing Ethiopia and securing its admission to the League of Nations in 1923. He was crowned Emperor on 2 November 1930, taking the name Haile Selassie, meaning Emissary of the Holy Trinity.
During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, he led the army at the Battle of Maychew in 1936, then went into exile. On 30 June 1936, he gave a speech to the League of Nations in Geneva, warning about collective security. He returned to Ethiopia in 1941 with British forces and reigned until 1974.
In 1966, he visited Jamaica and met Rastafari leaders. He helped found the Organization of African Unity in 1963, based in Addis Ababa.
Haile Selassie married Menen Asfaw in 1911; she remained his wife until her death in 1962. They had six children: Princess Tenagnework, Crown Prince Amha Selassie, Princess Romanework, Princess Zenebework, Princess Tsehai, and Prince Sahle Selassie.
His son Amha Selassie was declared Emperor in exile after the 1974 coup. Selassie’s personal life was tied to his imperial role, and his family members often held official positions.
The Rastafari movement, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s, reveres Haile Selassie as the messiah. Bob Marley’s song War 1976 uses Selassie’s 1963 United Nations speech. He received over 30 international awards, including the United Nations Peace Medal in 1972.
He abolished slavery, created a constitution in 1931, and helped found the Organization of African Unity in 1963. Selassie is remembered as a symbol of African independence and dignity, and as the 226th Negus of the Solomonic dynasty.
The complete filmography of Haile Selassie — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Haile Selassie — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
Little-known facts about Haile Selassie — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
As the 226th Negus of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie was considered a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, according to Solomonic tradition.
His regnal name Haile Selassie translates from Ge’ez to Emissary of the Holy Trinity.
During a 1966 visit to Jamaica, Selassie saw Rastafarians worshipping him and said, ‘Do not worship me, I am not God. I’m only a man. I worship Jesus Christ. The Rastafarians rejected this, claiming it was an impostor.
Bob Marley’s 1976 song War features lyrics taken directly from Haile Selassie’s 1963 address to the United Nations.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Haile Selassie.
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