Robert Mugabe had arrived in the country only six weeks before the election, after spending 10 years in exile. He became prime minister, forming an inclusive government
After his release from jail in 1974, he came to prominence as one of the leaders of a guerrilla war against white-minority rule, along with Joshua Nkomo (left)
He met Sally Hafron in Ghana whom he married in 1961. She was actually more political than him before he was recruited by black nationalists. He was later imprisoned by the Rhodesian government, but was not allowed to attend the funeral of his son
During his first years in office, he was feted by leaders across the world, including Fidel Castro of Cuba, who visited the country in 1986
He also had a close relationship with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - and initially pursued a policy of reconciliation with his white former enemies, letting them keep their economic wealth
He married his typist Grace Marufu, with whom he already had two children, in 1996 a few years after his first wife died. The 1990s also saw the country intervention in the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which proved costly to the economy
These included extravagant cakes. This one reflects how many Africans regarded him as a hero, admiring his stand against white farmers
It was around this time that Mr Mugabe abandoned his Savile Row and safari suits in favour of brightly coloured attire emblazoned with his face when he was on the campaign trail
Sanctions imposed by the US and EU prompted his (Mugabe) Look East policy, turning to China for investment. He used to travel to Asia for medical treatment - his daughter Bona (C) studied in Hong Kong and Singapore
It became a cult of personality, and big celebrations were organised by the ruling Zanu-PF party each year to mark his birthday.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe was educated at a mission school and went on to train as teacher, graduating from Fort Hare university where Nelson Mandela studied. In 1958, he went to work in Ghana
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