Mobutu was born out of wedlock to a traditional chief of the Ngbandi ethnic group in Lisala, Belgian Congo today known as Democratic Republic of Congo. Mobutu's mother, Marie Madeleine Yemo then met and married Albéric Gbemani, a cook for a Belgian judge, who adopted Mobutu. read more
Mobuto Sese Seko, President of Zaire for 32 years, was black Africa's longest reigning head of state. Tall, imposing, never without his trademark leopardskin hat and cane, he was the supreme example of a paramount chief. read more
Mobutu Sese Seko and Richard Nixon in Washington, D.C., October 1973. For the most part, Zaire enjoyed warm relations with the United States. The United States was the third largest donor of aid to Zaire (after Belgium and France), and Mobutu befriended several US presidents, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. read more