The Ethiopian emperor
Haile Selassie (1892-1975) was one of the most fascinating and mysterious figures
of the twentieth century; a potent man of small dimensions, a cruel and
generous leader, abstinent yet extravagant, a petty politician and statesman
who took part in one of the most important junctions in history – the battle
against Mussolini. He was a young revolutionist and aging reactionary,
worshipped by many as the son of god. He sought asylum in Jerusalem, only to
betray it later. A ruthless leader whose life ended in solitude, humiliation, and
murder.
Time Magazine named Haile Selassie “Man of the Year” in 1935,
and he was among the “Top 25 Political Icons in History” in 2011.