François Duvalier

Francois duvalier was born

Apr 14, 1907

François Duvalier was born in Port-au-Prince on April 14, 1907. His mother was Ulyssa Abraham, and his father was Duval Duvalier. His grandfather was a tailor, his dad was a school teacher and a municipal court judge.

When he grew up

Jul 8, 1930

He was one of the founders in the Haitian intellectual Griot movement in the 1930’s. The Haitian intellectual Griot movement celebrate their African roots and practice voodoo as important cultural elements of Haitian culture.

School

Apr 21, 1934

François Duvalier graduated from the Haitian National University Medical School in 1934. He was at the University to carry on his medical work, and of helping others.

Married

Apr 1, 1939

In 1939 he married Simone Ovide, which was a nurse, and had three daughters and a son. Named Jean-Claude Duvalier, Simone Duvalier, Marie‑Denise Duvalier, Nicole Duvalier.

Coming back to Haiti

Apr 21, 1946

When Duvalier came back to haiti, in 1946, he was made the minister of health and labor in the government of President of Dumarsais Estimé. Dumarsais Estimé taught Duvalier when he was in high school.

Helping others

Apr 23, 1950

When Duvalier has a takeover of the government by Paul Magloire, in 1950, he went back to his practice of medicine, he prevented the diseases that people got.

Hiding

Apr 28, 1954

In 1954 Duvalier went into hiding into the Haitian countryside, and then in 1956 the government of Magloire forgave all of its political opponents. Duvalier went out of hiding and then went to declare his candidacy of for the next election.

A brand new start

Apr 22, 1957

He pronounced that he promised to get a brand new start with rebuilding his country in 1957. The army was on his side and he defeated his main opponent Louis Déjoie was finally defeated by Duvalier.

Trips

Apr 21, 1961

In 1961 the American government election decided that his legal term should end in 1963, but in 1962 the AID mission was taken away. It wasn’t going to go to Haiti.

Presidents

Mar 21, 1963

In 1963 many people thought that the it was going to take time for Duvalier to become Haiti’s permanent president. On April 1, 1964 he became the official president.

Funerals

Apr 21, 1971

He died on April 21, 1971 by complications of diabetes mellitus. He is buried somewhere, people don’t know where the actual body is at because the body was either lost or destroyed at Port-au-Ouest, Haiti.

Letters

Dec 25, 1971

Duvalier wrote to the 1971 constitution and tried to make them change the Article 197 so that he could the president for life. On June 22, 1971 he had a vote and he was named the president of life.