Date of Birth: April 8, 1919
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: November 20, 2007
Biography
Ian Smith was a prominent politician known for his role as the Prime Minister of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1964 to 1979. Born in Selukwe, Southern Rhodesia, Smith was the first native-born premier of the country. His tenure was marked by his controversial Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, which sought to establish Rhodesia as a sovereign state independent from British rule. This move led to international sanctions and a protracted guerrilla war against nationalist forces. Despite his efforts to maintain white minority rule, Smith eventually entered into negotiations that led to the Lancaster House Agreement and the establishment of Zimbabwe in 1980. After stepping down, he remained active in politics and was a vocal critic of Robert Mugabe’s government.
5 Interesting Facts about Ian Smith
1. Ian Smith was a skilled pilot and served in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
2. He survived a near-fatal crash while flying a Hurricane fighter plane in 1943.
3. Smith was the first and only Prime Minister of Rhodesia.
4. He authored a memoir titled “The Great Betrayal,” detailing his political experiences.
5. Ian Smith was a cattle rancher before entering politics.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ian Smith
1. “We were never beaten by our enemies, we were betrayed by our friends.”
2. “I don’t believe in black majority rule ever in Rhodesia, not in a thousand years.”
3. “The white man is here to stay. Africa is a continent which can only be ruled by white men.”
4. “I was born in Rhodesia, and Rhodesia will always be my home.”
5. “Sanctions have never worked, and they will never work.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Ian Smith’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his political career and cattle ranching activities.
Children
Ian Smith had two children, Alec Smith and Jean Thorpe.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Ian Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Smith
2. [Britannica – Ian Smith](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ian-Smith
3. [BBC News – Obituary: Ian Smith](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7104551.stm
4. [The Guardian – Ian Smith](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/21/zimbabwe
