Desmond Hoyte
| Hugh Desmond Hoyte | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 3rd President of Guyana | |
|
In office 6 August 1985 – 9 October 1992 |
|
| Prime Minister | Hamilton Green |
| Preceded by | Forbes Burnham |
| Succeeded by | Cheddi Jagan |
| 3rd Prime Minister of Guyana | |
|
In office 16 August 1984 – 6 August 1985 |
|
| President | Forbes Burnham |
| Preceded by | Ptolemy Reid |
| Succeeded by | Hamilton Green |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
9 March 1929 Georgetown, Guyana |
| Died | 22 December 2002 (aged 73) Georgetown, Guyana |
| Political party | People's National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Joyce Hoyte |
Hugh Desmond Hoyte (9 March 1929 – 22 December 2002) was a Guyanese politician. He served as Prime Minister of Guyana from 1984 to 1985 and President of Guyana from 1985 until 1992.
Hoyte was born in Guyana's capital, Georgetown. He was educated at St Barnabas Anglican School and Progressive High School, before studying law in London, England. Back in British Guiana (as it was then called) in 1960 he set up private practice and became one of the leaders of the Guyana Bar Association.
He entered Parliament as a member of the People's National Congress in 1968 and soon began serving in the cabinet. He was home affairs minister from 1969 to 1970, finance minister from 1970 to 1972, works and communications minister from 1972 to 1974, and economic development minister in 1974 to 1980. Hoyte concentrated on economic affairs during his political career. His brilliance was not just seen politically. As an influential role model, he demonstrated how to handle his duties during adversity. With obligation to family and his country, Hoyte masterfully navigated a personal and emotional minefield in May 1985. His entire family, traveling in advance to hear him deliver the May Day address in the town of Linden, experienced tragedy on the evening of 30 April 1985. Their vehicle crashed, killing his only two children: Amanda and Maxine, his sister-in-law and his driver. Only his wife, Joyce, survived. Fraught with grief and tragedy, Desmond Hoyte always continued to skillfully lead his countrymen. He simultaneously mustered the strength to discharge his ministerial duty, and went on to deliver the May Day address the next day after the loss of his love ones. Guyanese remembered listening to the live broadcast on the radio, describing it as an inspiring, yet somber speech which gushed from his mountain of anguish and deep affliction.
Following the December 1980 election he became one of five vice-presidents, with responsibility for economic planning, finance, and regional development, becoming a close associate of the President of Guyana and PNC leader Forbes Burnham.
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