Muammar Gaddafi.

Gaddafi left his Bedouin camp at age nine for school in Sebha, where Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s speeches inspired him to organize revolutionary study groups. He was born in 1942 near Sirte, Libya, to a poor Bedouin family. He later studied history at the University of Libya before entering the Benghazi Military Academy.

In 1969, Gaddafi seized power in a carefully planned coup, declaring himself commander-in-chief. He nationalized foreign banks and oil companies, closed European military bases, and expelled Italian and Jewish residents in 1970. He supported numerous terrorist groups, fought wars against Egypt and Chad, and provoked US retaliation in 1986. After the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, he faced international isolation, but post-9/11 he cooperated with the West. In 2011, the Arab Spring uprising led to a civil war, and Gaddafi was captured and executed on October 20, 2011.

Gaddafi married Fatiha al Nuri in 1968 and divorced in 1970. In 1970, he married Safia Farkash, who remained his wife until his death. They had eight children: Saif al Islam, Al Saadi, Hannibal, Mutassim, Saif al Arab, Khamis, Muhammad, and Ayesha. Gaddafi also had children from other relationships, including Hana and Milad.

Gaddafi’s 42-year rule left Libya divided. He was a major patron of international terrorism, funding the IRA and other groups. His Green Book political treatise influenced some African nations. After his death, Libya descended into factional conflict. He is remembered as a controversial figure who dominated Libya for over four decades.