José Eduardo dos Santos was an Angolan politician who served as the President of Angola from 1979 to 2017. He was a key figure in the country's history, leading during a time of civil war and significant economic changes. Dos Santos was a member of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which played a crucial role in Angola's independence from Portugal. Born on August 28, 1942, in Luanda, dos Santos studied engineering in Azerbaijan before returning to Angola to join the liberation movement. His presidency was marked by efforts to rebuild the nation after years of conflict, but it also faced criticism for issues related to governance and human rights. He passed away on July 8, 2022.