Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born on 21 February 1924 in what was then Southern Rhodiesia, a British colony. In the 1960s he fought against the white minority government of Ian Smith, and was held as a political prisoner for more than 10 years.

When Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, Mugabe became prime minister.

In 1987, he assumed the office of President of Zimbabwe, giving himself additional powers in the process. He holds this position to this day. He has ruled with an iron fist, crushing any opposition. He has compared himself to Hitler and has been accused of having a racist attitude towards white people.

On Robert Mugabe's 90th birthday, IBTimesUK looks back at his life in pictures.