# Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

_24th president of Liberia_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/ellen-johnson-sirleaf
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Ellen Eugenia Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian politician who served as the 24th president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 29 October 1938 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Monrovia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Liberia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; economist; entrepreneur; writer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P106))
- **Political party:** Unity Party; True Whig Party (until 1980) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P102))
- **Education:** University of Colorado Boulder; Harvard University; John F. Kennedy School of Government; College of West Africa; Madison Business College; University of Wisconsin–Madison; University of Colorado ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P69))
- **Positions held:** Chairperson of ECOWAS (4 June 2016 – 4 June 2017); President of Liberia (16 January 2006 – 22 January 2018); Finance Minister of Liberia (1979–1980) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P39))
- **Awards:** Nobel Peace Prize; Presidential Medal of Freedom; honorary doctor of Harvard University; Indira Gandhi Peace Prize; Four Freedoms Award – Freedom of Speech; Freedom Award; Global Economy Prize; BBC 100 Women; Order of African Redemption; Order of the Pioneers of Liberia; Order of the Star of Africa; Sovereign Military Order of Malta; Order of Mono; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour; Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P166))
- **X (Twitter):** MaEllenSirleaf ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179#P2002))

## Questions

**When was Ellen Johnson Sirleaf born?**  
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was born on 29 October 1938 in Monrovia.

**What positions has Ellen Johnson Sirleaf held?**  
Positions held by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf include: Chairperson of ECOWAS (2016–2017); President of Liberia (2006–2018); Finance Minister of Liberia (1979–1980).

**Where did Ellen Johnson Sirleaf study?**  
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was educated at University of Colorado Boulder, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, College of West Africa.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Ellen Johnson Sirleaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Johnson_Sirleaf) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikipedia (Nepali): एलेन जोन्सन सरलिफ](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AB) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q43179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43179) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: 12 6 2022 Breaking the Barriers of Entry for Women Leaders in Africa (52577486307) (Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf).jpg by U.S. Institute of Peace (CC BY 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:12_6_2022_Breaking_the_Barriers_of_Entry_for_Women_Leaders_in_Africa_(52577486307)_(Ellen_Johnson-Sirleaf).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: 12 6 2022 Breaking the Barriers of Entry for Women Leaders in Africa (52577486307) (Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf).jpg — U.S. Institute of Peace, CC BY 2.0.

## Cite this page

"Ellen Johnson Sirleaf". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/ellen-johnson-sirleaf. Retrieved 6 November 2026.