Senegalese civil servant Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow began working with UNESCO in 1953, eventually serving as their Director-General from 1974 to 1987. Born in Dakar in 1921, M’Bow served in both the French Army and the French Air Force in France and North Africa during World War II. Before joining UNESCO he studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris. In addition to leading UNESCO he also served as the President of the PanAfrican Archaeological Association from 1967 to 1971. M’Bow was bestowed with multiple honours during his lifetime including being awarded with the Olympic Order in Gold in 1981. After living in France for most of his life he returned to Senegal in 1987 where he celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021. He died in September 2024 at the age of 103.
Senegal