Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj Цахиагийн Элбэгдорж |
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4th President of Mongolia | |
In office 18 June 2009 – 10 July 2017 |
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Prime Minister |
Sanjaagiin Bayar Sükhbaataryn Batbold Norovyn Altankhuyag Dendev Terbishdagva (Acting) Chimediin Saikhanbileg Jargaltulga Erdenebat |
Preceded by | Nambaryn Enkhbayar |
Succeeded by | Khaltmaagiin Battulga |
18th Prime Minister of Mongolia | |
In office 20 August 2004 – 13 January 2006 |
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President |
Natsagiin Bagabandi Nambaryn Enkhbayar |
Preceded by | Nambaryn Enkhbayar |
Succeeded by | Miyeegombyn Enkhbold |
In office 23 April 1998 – 9 December 1998 |
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President | Natsagiin Bagabandi |
Preceded by | Mendsaikhany Enkhsaikhan |
Succeeded by | Janlavyn Narantsatsralt |
Personal details | |
Born |
Zereg, Mongolia |
30 March 1963
Political party | Democratic Party |
Spouse(s) | Khajidsuren Bolormaa |
Children | 12 daughters 13 sons (9 adopted) |
Alma mater |
Lviv Polytechnic University of Colorado, Boulder Harvard University |
Signature |
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj (Mongolian: Цахиагийн Элбэгдорж, Cahiagín Elbegdorj Mongolian pronunciation: [t͡sʰaxiaˈgiːŋ eɮpegˈtɔrt͡ʃ]; also referred to as Mongolyin Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj; born 30 March 1963) is a Mongolian politician who served as President of Mongolia from 2009 to 2017. He previously served as Prime Minister in 1998 and again from 2004 to 2006. Elbegdorj is considered one of the principal champions in emerging markets and was one of the architects of democracy in Mongolia.
Elbegdorj was one of the key leaders of the 1990 Mongolian democratic revolution that ended 70 years of communist rule in Mongolia, and co-drafted the country's 1992 constitution that guaranteed democracy and a free market economy. Elbegdorj has been labeled by his supporters as a "freedom fighter" and the "Golden Sparrow of Democracy," alluding to a bird that comes with spring sunshine after a long, harsh winter.
Elbegdorj is the founder of the Ardchilal (English: Democracy) newspaper – the country's first independent newspaper – and helped to establish the first independent television station in Mongolia.
His tenure has focused on fighting corruption, environmental protection, women's rights, judicial reform, civic engagement, economic liberalization and privatization, property rights, and the abolition of the death penalty.
Elbegdorj was born into a nomadic herding family in Zereg sum, Khovd province, on 30 March 1963. He was the youngest of eight sons. Elbegdorj spent most of his early childhood herding livestock through the high mountains of Zereg sum. His father, Mongolyn Tsakhia, was a veteran of Mongolia's border conflict with the Empire of Japan that resulted in the 1939 Battle of Khalkhyn Gol. Elbegdorj finished the sum's eight-year school (Primary & middle school) in 1979. Afterwards, his family moved to Erdenet City, and he finished Erdenet's No. 1 ten-year school (High school) in 1981.