Leopold II of Belgium was the King of the Belgians from 1865 until his death in 1909. He is best known for his personal rule over the Congo Free State, which he claimed as his private property. Under his leadership, the region experienced severe exploitation and human rights abuses, leading to millions of deaths and suffering among the local population. Leopold's actions in the Congo drew international criticism and led to reforms in colonial governance. In 1908, the Belgian government took control of the Congo Free State, transforming it into a Belgian colony. Leopold's legacy remains controversial due to the impact of his rule on the Congolese people and the broader implications of European colonialism.