Didier Ratsiraka

His Excellency Didier Ratsiraka
Ratsiraka in 1997
3rd and 5th President of Madagascar
In office 9 February 1997 – 5 July 2002
Prime Minister	Norbert Ratsirahonana Pascal Rakotomavo Tantely Andrianarivo
Preceded by	Norbert Ratsirahonana (acting)
Succeeded by	Marc Ravalomanana
In office 15 June 1975 – 27 March 1993
Prime Minister	Joël Rakotomalala Justin Rakotoniaina Désiré Rakotoarijaona Victor Ramahatra Guy Razanamasy
Preceded by	Gilles Andriamahazo (as Chairman of the National Military Leadership Committee)
Succeeded by	Albert Zafy
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar
In office 1972–1975
President	Gabriel Ramanantsoa
Preceded by	Jacques Rabemananjara
Succeeded by	Albert Zakariasy
Personal details
Born	(1936-11-04)4 November 1936 Vatomandry, French Madagascar
Died	28 March 2021(2021-03-28) (aged 84) Antananarivo, Madagascar
Political party	Malagasy Revolutionary Party
Spouse	Céline Velonjara ​ (m. 1964)​
Children	4
Relatives	Roland Ratsiraka (nephew)

Didier Ignace Ratsiraka (Malagasy: [raˈtsirəkə̥]; 4 November 1936 – 28 March 2021) was a Malagasy politician and naval officer who was the third President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and the fifth from 1997 to 2002. At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving President of Madagascar.

He was first appointed president in 1975 by the military leadership, he was then reelected twice in 1982 and 1989. While he lost to Albert Zafy in 1992, Ratsiraka returned to office after winning the 1997 election. After the 2001 election, he and his opponent Marc Ravalomanana engaged in a lengthy standoff after the latter refused to participate in a runoff election; Ratsiraka eventually stepped down.