About
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID (8 April 1919 – 20 November 2007) was a politician, farmer, and fighter pilot who served as Prime Minister of Rhodesia (or Southern Rhodesia; today Zimbabwe) from 1964 to 1979. He was the country's first premier not born abroad, and led the predominantly white government that unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, following prolonged dispute over the terms. He remained Prime Minister for almost all of the 14 years of international isolation that followed, and oversaw Rhodesia's security forces during most of the Bush War, which pitted the unrecognised administration against communist-backed black nationalist guerrilla groups. Smith, who has been described as personifying white Rhodesia, remains a highly controversial figure—supporters venerate him as a man of integrity and vision who understood the uncomfortable truths of Africa, while critics describe an unrepentant racist whose policies and actions caused the deaths of thousands and contributed to Zimbabwe's later crises.
Key details
| Born |
Ian Douglas Smith 8 April 1919 Selukwe, Midlands, Southern Rhodesia
|
| Died |
20 November 2007 (aged 88) Cape Town, South Africa
|
| Zodiac | Aries |
| Tags | Add tag |
Family members
Spouse 1
Children 3
-
Alexander Douglas Smith 3rd child with Janet Duvenage Watt Smith Male b. 25 May 1949 d. 19 Jan 2006 Age: 56 (at death) 1949-2006 Rhodesian Army chaplain
Parents
Siblings
Other family members
Connections
Friends & associates
Ian Smith dating history
1
Children
3-
3rd childMaleb. 25 May 1949d. 19 Jan 2006Age: 56 (at death)
Scholars
Family
Parents
Siblings
Children
Other family members
Friends & associates
Missing information for Ian Smith
- missing height
- missing hair color
- missing eye color
- missing ethnicity
- add banner photo
Lists
Facts and figures
Similar profiles
Activity
Top contributors today
Tags
Featured contributors
Couples by country
USA · UK · Canada · Australia · France · Germany · India · China · South Korea · Japan · Spain · MexicoCouples by decade
1900s · 1910s · 1920s · 1930s · 1940s · 1950s · 1960s · 1970s · 1980s · 1990s · 2000s · 2010s · 2020s
