Meles Zenawi Asres (Ge’ez: መለስ ዜናዊ አስረስ Mäläs Zenawi Äsräs) died in office as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on August 20, 2012 after a long health battle. He was born as Legesse Zenawi Asres. He changed his first name from Legesse to Meles (nom de guerre Meles, which he later adopted in honour of a university student and fellow Tigrai Meles Tekle who was executed by Mengistu’s government in 1975) while fighting the Russian supported Derg military government.
Meles Zenawi was born in the town of Adwa, Tigrai, in northern Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian father from Adwa and a mother from Adi Quala, Eritrea. He completed from grade 1 to grade 8 in just 5 years. He was awarded a scholarship to complete his high school studies in Addis Ababa (Ethiopian capital) at the General Wingate High school. Up on successfully completing his high school in great distinction, he studied medicine at Addis Ababa University medical faculty (at the time known as Haile Selassie I University) for two years before interrupting his studies in 1975 to join the Tigrai People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Meles Zenawi took power after the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) marched to Addis Ababa on May 20, 1991.
From 1985, he was the chairman of the Tigrai Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), and the head of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
He was President of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995 and became the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in 1995 following the general elections that year, and has been serving as prime minister until his death on Aug 20, 2012.
Meles Zenawi was also a very strong ally of the United States’ “War on Terror”.
Meles Zenawi acquired an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the Open University of the United Kingdom in 1995 and an masters of science in economics from the Erasmus University of the Netherlands in 2004. In July 2002, Meles received an honorary doctoral degree in political science from the Hannam University in South Korea.
Zenawi was married to Azeb Mesfin, a former rebel fighter in TPLF and currently a member of parliament, with whom he had 3 children.
Meles Zenawi Biography in Amharic
i am proud of you Meles. you were and are one of the best heroes of Ethiopia. we are on your side.
Rest in peace. What a huge loss for Ethiopia and Africa!
May the lord keep the children of Ethiopia safe and sound at this very difficult time.
Who is going to take over as the PM of the country? I hope God has chosen the right person to rule this country.
We all need to pray for the people of Ethiopia.
AFRICAN Luminary Leader The Founder of African Union ( AU ) and Commission for Africa ( CA ). A small Statue African Big Man Short, Brilliant, Sharp and Extraordinary Cleaver.
THE PRIME MINSTER OF ETHIOPIAN MELES ZENAWI Has Been REMEMBERED and regarded as a Luminary Successful Leader for ETHIOPIA who has ACHIEVES many of a Benchmarks of Developments for Ethiopian’s Never Reach before in Every Direction.
I Already Missed you and thank , the days the weeks and the years to come you will be Missed Greatly AM Proud of You.
MY CONDOLENCESS to the Family of The Great PM MELES ZENAWI and The People of Ethiopian.
1955-2012
NN D London
u did what u had been to do.I remember u 4ever & u will live in my heart. God bless you WODI ZENAWI.
he’s my hero. I’ll never see like him.
i’m deeply sad b/c of our pm Meles death but in my heart he is always with me we will never find such kind of person or leader God rest his life in peace.
Z developmental hero may rest in peace.this time ethiopia needs z clever leader in z horn of africa.as we know z situations r not good. it is z terror area,so z next leader has to b wise to keep our greatness in z area and keeping z stability.i hope z former pm recommended who shall b z next pm of ethiopia.if he didn’t,i m sorry he made a mistake. this is what leadership means. But i believe meles did it bc meles lived for future. Hopefully God is wiz u!
I’m really sorry for missing the one dedicated his life to the prosperity of the people. He had given his life for the people he loved. Let God give rest for his soul and I would like to express MY CONDOLENCESS to the Family of The Great PM MELES ZENAWI and The People of Ethiopia
I express my heartfelt condolences on the sad, sudden and untimely passing away of our P.M. H.E. Meles Zenawi, the history maker hero.
Ethiopia as well as Africa has lost a great leader who had been well-educated, visionary and versatile enough to set high standard of goals and benchmarks to develop our country and Africa.
He will always be rememberd for his knowledge based leadership and remarkable development of our country.
I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the government of Ethiopia and all Ethiopians.
We have to follow his footprints and do our best to develop our country and accomplish our P.M’s visions
I can’t believe his death still,but his death is more bad to the country than his family , when he was alive he may do so many incredible transformations to the country . In short period of time the country will inter to the middle developed countries . Anyway God doesn’t allow to him to be alive . GOD REST HIM IN PEACE !!!
we missed one of greatest sons of Africa
we miss you lot our dear P.M Meles Zenawi, we miss ur knowledable speech, ur confidence for development, ur vision, ur transformational leadership, ur multi-professional knowledge etc………………………… anyway what can we do we have lost our hero may God rest your soul in peace we are greatly proud of you.
R.I.P Dear P.M. Meles Zenawi
God Bless Ethiopia
Dedicated to Meles Zenawi:
Unforgettable by Nat King and Nathalie Cole – real father and child love
u were a surprising and unique human being with an amusing qualities. may God bless u your soul.
We as Ethiopian, African and the whole human being who stunned for justice, peace, development and democracy lost the great pro- poor, outstanding and extraordinary knowledgeable African leader. He sacrifices his whole life for peace, development and to strengthen democratic right of the Ethiopian people.
bravo!!!!!!!!!!
We lost the best minded person of Africa. RIP.
‘we lost a master mind leader!
not only Ethiopia even missed Africa.’
Meles, you were an extraordinary leader; superb mentor and a man of vision for Ethiopia, Africa and the world at large. You master-minded Ethiopia’s development to its perfect level; we do hope that the young and dynamic generation that you have left behind will fill up the gap and take the initiative to continue with your legacy. May God place your soul in eternal peace.
Berhe Berhane
During his lifetime, Meles Zenawi was the most unappreciated political leader but in his death, he is the most mourned in which all Ethiopians were grief stricken. Inarguably he was exceptionally brilliant politician, far-sighted visionary leader, not only in the battle fields during war times but also in solving multifaceted problems at peace times. PM Meles was a progressive African realist, socially humble, principled, and gifted in identifying emerging problems and in working hard in seeking solution. Though it is sad to see nature has robbed one of the best African minds, we celebrate his life as he has used it for the good of society.
In simple description Meles Zenawi was the candle for our mother Ethiopia!!!!!!!!!!!!
[…] The Meles Zenawi run was held appropriately at Stanley Park, reflecting the green legacy of Meles Zenawi. Since we started the campaign earlier this spring, we have raised a total of $106,355 USD – […]
rest in peace…proud of u
I received this letter from someone claiming to be the daughter of Meles Zenawi. But they are fraudsters on the internet robbing people from their money. What can be done to stop these people?
My dear friend, How are you doing ? i hope you are doing great ! I am happy to write you hope you read my mail in good health. This is a little about me, My name is Rebecca Zenawi . I am 24yrs old single and never been married and have no kids.I’m Honest,Trustful, Romantic and Passionate.I like to explorer new things and new places.like to,watching movies..I enjoy Camping,Hiking,Going Places,Cuddling,writing poems,Giving massage. i like children . exploring a fantasy and just having Fun.I have a good personality. i am from Ethiopia in (Africa ) . Daughter of Late Mr Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of Ethiopia , and also own other private companies which my step mother claim after his dead . my mother is dead and my mother was not married to my late father Mr Meles Zenawi before her death some years back, i am the only child from my mother . my late father has another wife that’s my step mother . in some many reasons that is why the world did not no much about me , everything about me has been a secret till the death of my father . it’s very sad to have a father who never take you to public , he never let people no about me or come close me , the reason of his action towards me is what i don’t no about . he only care for me indoors, he gave me everything materials in the world but he did not give me love of a father that every child will need from a father . my life has been long tragedy story , but in everything that may had happen to me i am very happy that i am alive today to write you and also to meet someone like you . i give thanks to God . i am good Christian and you what religion are you ? i want you to understand that religion , age , distance does not matter . i always say this to myself that true love knows no distance , gossips lol . I feel a great joy around a happy family and i wish to experience the great joy of a happy home . i am currently in Senegal due because my step mother has been very wicked to me and also After the burial of my father, my stepmother and uncle conspired sold many of my father’s properties to a European expatriates which they shared the money among themselves . all because i have no body to speak for me , but i know that God always fight for his children .what is left for in all my father’s properties was 4.5 million U.S dollars which my father deposited in a Switzerland bank with my name as next of kin , I traveled to Switzerland to withdraw the money for a better life so that I can take care of myself and start a new life, on my arrival, the Bank Director whom I meet in person told me that my father’s instruction to the bank is that the money would only be release to me when I am married or i present a trustee who will help me and invest the money internationally . i decide not to go back to my country ( Ethiopia) because my step would like to take what belong to me for herself and her children , she has treat to kill me many times , sometime have tried to do so but God keep on fighting for me . so i have leave the country i am currently in (Senegal) in ( Methodist Church hostel ) knowing that one day i will have a family again , i will find some who will love me as woman , sister, wife , desire to beloved . I believe that you are honest and reliable person ,please i want you to help me and stand as my trustee so that I will present you to the Bank for transfer of the money to your account . I kept this secret to people in the hostel here, the only person that knows about it is the Reverend Pastor ,(John Michael ), because of the closeness and the fact that he took me as his daughter and i must say he is like a father to me. Here is the reverend Telephone number (+221- 782926270) if you call and tell him that you want to speak with me he will definitely send for me . i am not living with him rather i live in the female hostel. they have a separate hall for men and women.i will tell you more about myself in my next mail , please tell me more about yourself , your like , your dislike , your country , what you are doing presently and mostly (smiles) your past life story . attach here are my real pictures and i will like to see your pictures . i will be waiting for your reply , please tell me more about yourself note that i mean no harm . you can read more about my father here . http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/world/africa/meles-zenawi-ethiopian-leader-dies-at-57.html?_r=0
you are my hero i will never forget u
I received this email
Good day and greetings to you .
How are you doing ? i hope you are doing great ! I am happy to write you hope you read my mail in good health. This is a little about me, My name is Felisha Zenawi . I am 27 yrs old single and never been married and have no kids . I am 5’8″ tall with 55kg weight . I’m Honest,Trustful, Romantic and Passionate.I like to explorer new things and new places.like to,watching movies..I enjoy Camping,Hiking,Going laces,Cuddling,writing poems,Giving massage. i like children with exploring a fantasy and just having Fun. I want you to kindly set a place for me in your heart and not in your mind for the mind easily forgets but the heart always remembers.
I have a good personality. i am from Ethiopia in (Africa ) . Daughter of Late Mr Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of Ethiopia , and also own other private companies which my step mother claim after his dead . my mother is dead and my mother was not married to my late father Mr Meles Zenawi before her death some years back, i am the only child from my mother . my late father has another wife that’s my step mother . in some many reasons that is why the world did not no much about me , everything about me has been a secret till the death of my father . it’s very sad to have a father who never take you to public , he never let people no about me or come close me , the reason of his action towards me is what i don’t no about . he only care for me indoors, he gave me everything materials in the world but he did not give me love of a father that every child will need from a father . my life has been long tragedy story , but in everything that may had happen to me i am very happy that i am alive today to write you and also to meet someone like you . i give thanks to God . i am good Christian and you what religion are you ? i want you to understand that religion , age , distance does not matter . i always say this to myself that true love knows no distance , gossips lol . I feel a great joy around a happy family and i wish to experience the great joy of a happy home . i am currently in benin republic due because my step mother has been very wicked to me and also After the burial of my father, my stepmother and uncle conspired sold many of my father’s properties to a European expatriates which they shared the money among themselves . all because i have no body to speak for me , but i know that God always fight for his children .what is left for in all my father’s properties was 4.5 million U.S dollars which my father deposited in Europe with my name as next of kin .
I would have claimed or withdrawn the money for a better life so that I can take care of myself and start a new life but the Bank Director told me that my father’s instruction to the bank is that the money would only be release to me when I am married or i present a capable trustee who will help me and invest the money internationally .
i decide not to go back to my country ( Ethiopia) because my step would like to take what belong to me for herself and her children , she has treat to kill me many times , sometime have tried to do so but God keep on fighting for me . so i have leave the country i am currently in ( Cotonou Benin) in ( Methodist Church hostel ) knowing that one day i will have a family again . I believe that you are honest and reliable person ,please i want you to help me and stand as my trustee so that I will present you to the Bank for transfer of the money to your account.
I kept this secret to people in the hostel here as i did not see any reason expôsing this matter to people that does not matter to me
please tell me all i need to know about your , your like , your dislike , your country , what you are doing presently and mostly .. attach here are my photos and i will like to see your pictures and possibly tell me more about yourself and your capability to stand for me on this matter . I want after the transfer is completed that i can come and we live the rest of our lives there in your country while our investments being controlled by you as i have no experience about that ..
cheers and have a lovely day and more blessings ahead .
Felisha Zenawi
you can read more about my father here .
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/world/africa/meles-zenawi-ethiopian-leader-dies-at-57.html?_r=0
Thank you @Nick and @Sfiso,
Thank you for sharing.
Yes, the email is fake news and we have also received the same email. They must be so dumb to send us an email about this …
RIP MZ!
[…] see leadership as a sacrifice, not a job.” The late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi adopted the name “Meles” to honor a founder of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front who died in the struggle. What appeared […]
[…] see leadership as a sacrifice, not a job.” The late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi adopted the name “Meles” to honor a founder of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front who died in the struggle. What appeared […]
May your sowl rest in peace as you left something important in my life.each and every time when i remeber her there comes a smile on my face.Your daughter is my best and last love in the world.MISS FAVOR SENAY ZENAWI