Paul Biya Age, Wiki and Bio

Paul Biya

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalityCameroonian
Date of Birth13/02/1933
Age92 years
BirthplaceMvomeka'a, Cameroon

Bio/Wiki

Birth NamePaul Barthélemy Biya'a bi Mvondo

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 6" (168 cm)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

Schools
  • Minor Seminary, Akono, Cameroon (1950-1954)
  • Lycée Général-Leclerc, Yaoundé, Cameroon (1954-1956)
  • Lycée Louis-le-Grand, Paris
Colleges/Universities
  • Sorbonne University, Paris
  • Institut d'études politiques, Paris
  • Institut des hautes études d'Outre-Mer
Qualifications
  • Diploma in Public Law from Institut des hautes études d'Outre-Mer (1960)
  • Diploma from Institut d'études politiques (1961)
  • Diploma from the Institut des Hautes Études d'Outre-Mer (IHEOM) (1962)
  • Diplôme d'Études Supérieures in Public Law

Personal Life

Date of Birth13 February 1933
NationalityCameroonian
HometownMvomeka'a, Cameroon
Zodiac signAquarius
ReligionChristianity (Catholicism)

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Marriage Dates
First Marriage1961
Second Marriage23 April 1994

Family

FatherEtienne Mvondo Assam (deceased)
MotherAnastasie Eyenga Elle
Siblings
Brothers
  • Pierre Meba (deceased)
  • Benoit Assam Mvondo (deceased)
  • Justine Eyinga
  • Assam Mvondo
Sisters
  • Régine Ngonda Mvondo (deceased)
  • Marie Mengue Mvondo
  • Elisabeth Mekou
Spouse
First WifeJeanne-Irène Biya (m. 1961; until her death in 1992)
Second WifeChantal Biya (m. 1994 - Present)
Children
Sons
  • Franck Biya (adopted with Jeanne-Irène Biya)
  • Paul Biya Jr. (with Chantal Biya)
DaughterBrenda Biya (with Chantal Biya)

Career

Political PartyCameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM)
Political Journey
  • Appointed Chargé de Mission at the Presidency of the Republic (October 1962)
  • Appointed Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of National Education (January 1964)
  • Became Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Education (July 1965)
  • Named Director of the Civil Cabinet of the President (December 1967)
  • Appointed Secretary-General of the Presidency (January 1968)
  • Joined the Government as Minister, Secretary-General at the Presidency (August 1968)
  • Became Minister of State, Secretary-General at the Presidency (June 1972)
  • Designated constitutional successor to the Head of State (July 1979)
  • Served as the Prime Minister of Cameroon (30 June 1975 - 6 November 1982)
  • Became 2nd President of Cameroon (6 November 1982)
  • Re-elected multiple times as President of Cameroon

Some Lesser Known Facts

Paul Biya grew up in Mvomeka’a, Cameroon, where his father hoped he would become a priest.
He was expelled from Catholic school at the age of 16.
While studying in France, he became a naturalised French citizen but renounced it upon returning to Cameroon.
Paul Biya was unexpectedly appointed successor to President Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982.
His leadership has seen significant political changes, including the end of one-party rule in Cameroon in 1990.
He enjoyed a rapid increase in U.S. trade with Cameroon following his rise to power.