Nicolae Ceausescu was a Romanian politician who served as the General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 until 1989. He became the country's leader and established a totalitarian regime characterized by strict control over the economy, media, and political life. Ceausescu's policies led to significant social and economic challenges, including widespread poverty and food shortages. In December 1989, amid growing public unrest and protests against his government, Ceausescu was overthrown. He and his wife, Elena Ceausescu, were captured, tried, and executed on December 25, 1989, marking the end of communist rule in Romania.