William Tolbert

President of Liberia 1971–1980 (1913–1980)

William Richard Tolbert Jr. (13 May 1913 – 12 April 1980) was the 20th President of Liberia from 1971 until he was assassinated in 1980 Liberian coup d'état in order by Samuel Doe.[1]

William Tolbert
Tolbert in 1978
20th President of Liberia
In office
23 July 1971 – 12 April 1980
Vice Presidentvacant (1971–1972)
James Edward Greene (1972–1977)
Bennie Dee Warner (1977–1980)
Preceded byWilliam Tubman
Succeeded bySamuel Doe
23rd Vice President of Liberia
In office
1 January 1952 – 23 July 1971
PresidentWilliam Tubman
Preceded byClarence Simpson
Succeeded byJames Edward Greene
Personal details
Born
William Richard Tolbert Jr.

(1913-05-13)13 May 1913
Bensonville, Liberia
Died12 April 1980(1980-04-12) (aged 66)
Monrovia, Liberia
Cause of deathAssassination by firearm
Resting placePalm Grove Cemetery
Political partyTrue Whig
Spouse(s)Victoria A. David (1916-1997)
Children8

On April 12, 1980, Tolbert was killed in Monrovia early today in a coup by disgruntled Army enlisted men ostensibly representing the long disenfranchised indigenous population of that country. He was shot three times in the head by a band of soldiers who broke into the executive mansion at 1 a.m., according to reports reaching here. Samuel Doe commands the soldiers by overthrow and execute Tolbert.

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