Habib Bourguiba

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Habib Ben Ali Bourguiba (Arabic: حبيب بورقيبة) (born August 3, 1903 in Monastir, Tunisia – died April 6, 2000) was a Tunisian statesman and the first President of the Republic of Tunisia from July 25, 1957 to November 7, 1987. He is often compared to Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk because of the pro-Western reforms enacted during his presidency. During the time Bourguiba was president, education was a high priority. Bourguiba also made an innovative difference within the Arab and Islamic world concerning women rights. He prohibited polygamy and he legalized divorce. He also raised the age at which girls could marry to 17 years of age.

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Prime Minister Habib Bourguiba was elected president on July 25, 1957 after the destitution of Bey Mohamed Lamine, the abolition of the constitutional monarchy and the proclamation of the Republic of Tunisia by the representatives of the people meeting in the Constituent Assembly. Regarded as an ideological moderate, he promoted secularism and women's rights. He was chosen as President for Life by the Tunisian parliament in 1975.

His presidency ended when his advanced age and increasing senility led his Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and constitutionally designated successor to invoke article 57 of the constitution deposing him on November 7th, 1987. On orders of the new President Ben Ali, he was subsequently allowed to remain at the Presidency in Carthage for several days until he fully comprehended and accepted the new political situation. He then left for the village of Mornag where he had a residence which he had used as President. He later requested to move to Monastir, his birth city, and the government ordered the Governor of Monastir to leave his official residence in order for President Bourguiba and his attendants to move in.

He was limited in his movements to Monastir and his future mausoleum where he prayed and visited his parents graves. He was visited weekly by his immediate family and authorized close friends and provided all the services and medical care he asked for and needed. All the doctors and staff that cared for him as President were allowed to go with him to Monastir. President Bourguiba visited with his successor at the Palace of Carthage and President Ben Ali paid him public visits on the occasion of Independence Day or other major holidays. He died on April 6, 2000 in Monastir, and was given a state funeral.

On the centenary of his birth in 2003, a 5-dinar coin with his likeness was issued.