Habib Bourguiba was a prominent Tunisian politician and the first President of Tunisia, serving from 1957 to 1987. He played a crucial role in the country's independence from French colonial rule in 1956 and is often regarded as the father of modern Tunisia. Bourguiba implemented various social and economic reforms, focusing on education, women's rights, and healthcare. Bourguiba's leadership style was characterized by a strong central authority, and he sought to modernize Tunisia through secular policies. His presidency ended when he was ousted in a bloodless coup in 1987, leading to the rise of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as his successor.