Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Birth Name: Ellen Johnson

Place of Birth: Monrovia, Liberia

Date of Birth: 29 October, 1938

Ethnicity:
*father – Gola
*mother – German, Kru

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian politician. She was the 24th President of Liberia, from 16 January, 2006 to 22 January, 2018.

President Sirleaf’s father, Jahmale Carney (previousley spelled Karnley) Johnson, was born into a Gola family in an impoverished rural region in Julijuah, Bomi County. He was sent to Monrovia, where he changed his surname to Johnson due to his father’s loyalty to President Hilary R. W. Johnson. President Sirleaf’s mother, Martha Cecelia (Kreuger, later Dunbar), was also born into poverty, in Greenville, Sinoe County, and was of half German and half Kru descent. She was later adopted by Cecilia Dunbar, who was a member of a prominent Americo-Liberian family.

President Sirleaf has four sons with her former husband, James Sirleaf, whose niece is American comedian and actress Retta.

President Sirleaf’s paternal grandfather was named Jahmale.

President Sirleaf’s paternal grandmother was named Jenneh.

President Sirleaf’s maternal grandfather was named Heinz Kreuger. Heinz was a German trader, who had to flee the country after Liberia declared war on Germany during World War I.

President Sirleaf’s maternal grandmother was named Juah Sarwee. Juah was Kru.

Sources: Genealogy of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – https://www.geni.com

Biography of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2017), by Helene Cooper