Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein was an Iraqi politician and revolutionary who served as the president of Iraq from 1979 until his overthrow in 2003 during the United States-led invasion of Iraq. He previously served as the vice president from 1968 to 1979 and also as the prime minister from 1979 to 1991 and later from 1994 to 2003. A leading member of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, he was a proponent of Ba'athism, a mix of Arab nationalism and Arab socialism. The policies and ideologies he championed are collectively known as Saddamism, a right-wing variant of Ba'athism.

Before rising to power, Saddam joined the Ba'ath Party and participated in the 17 July Revolution, which brought the Ba'athists to power. He served as Vice President under Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, consolidating his influence within the government.

Saddam Hussein was known for his cult of personality. He nationalized the Iraq Petroleum Company. He introduced free healthcare and education in Iraq.

Saddam Hussein had multiple wives and children. His family life was largely private, but his sons Uday and Qusay were known for their roles in his regime.