Jean-Claude Duvalier

Jean-Claude Duvalier (nicknamed Bébé Doc or Baby Doc) (born July 3, 1951) succeeded his father, Papa Doc Duvalier as the dictator of Haiti from his father's death in 1971 until his overthrow by a popular uprising in 1986. He married Michèle Bennet.

Early life

He was born in Port-au-Prince, and in April 1971, he assumed the presidency of Haiti at the age of 19 upon the death of his father, François Duvalier (nicknamed "Papa Doc"), becoming the world's youngest president.

Tortuga freeport

In 1971, shortly before the death of "Papa Doc" Duvalier, Texas entrepreneur Don Pierson entered into a 99-years contract to develop a freeport on the island of Tortuga. Following the death of his father and upon learning of a new multimillion dollar contract between the Freeport and Gulf Oil Corporation, Jean-Claude Duvalier expropriated the entire venture in 1974, causing it to collapse.

Political and economic repression

He held on to power until February 7, 1986 when, in response to three months of protest against the government's political and economic repression, fearing prosecution he fled the country and settled in France.

Exile and announced return

Following the ouster of the elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004, Duvalier announced his intention to return to Haiti.