Marc Ravalomanana President of the Republic of Madagascar Date of Birth: 12.12.1949 Country: Madagascar

1. Biography of Mark Ravalomanana
2. From Yogurt Delivery to President
3. Transformation of Antananarivo
4. A Family Man and a Hardworking Leader

Biography of Mark Ravalomanana

Mark Ravalomanana, the current President of the Republic of Madagascar, was born on December 12, 1949, into a poor family. He received his education at a Protestant school in his native village. It seems that the combination of determination and hard work, which are traditional virtues of his ethnic group, the Merina, along with Protestant values, helped him quickly rise from rags to riches.

From Yogurt Delivery to President

Ravalomanana started his career by delivering yogurt on a bicycle with his wife Lala. After establishing a dairy factory, the powerful Anglican Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, of which Ravalomanana later became the Vice President, helped him secure a $1.5 million loan from the World Bank, a colossal amount for the island nation. He now owns the largest supermarket chain and a radio and television station.

Transformation of Antananarivo

In 1999, Ravalomanana was elected as the Mayor of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Within a couple of years, he successfully transformed the highly neglected city by attracting both his own funds and external investments.

A Family Man and a Hardworking Leader

Ravalomanana has four children, which is considered a small family by local standards. Although he lacks oratory skills and speaks French poorly, which is a rarity among Malagasy politicians, he is highly energetic and driven by the idea of motivating his fellow citizens to work hard.