1921-1996. Former leader of the Central African Republic. He gained power via a New Year's Day (1966) military coup, and established a "single-party democracy", in which he was president-for-life. By the mid 70s, he had become "Emperor Bokassa I" of the "Central African Empire", installing himself with an elaborate coronation and the marriage to a young "empress". He was deposed in 1979, with help from France, amidst tales of wretched excess, including claims of cannibalism.