Leila Ben Ali

Leila Ben Ali (born 1956) is a Tunisian businesswoman who served as First Lady of Tunisia from 1987 to 2011 as the wife of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. During her husband's 23-year presidency, she was a visible public figure involved in various charitable and cultural initiatives, promoting women's education and development projects. She was also a significant businesswoman with commercial interests in Tunisia, which became increasingly controversial as allegations of corruption and nepotism surrounded the Ben Ali family. During the Tunisian Revolution of 2010-2011, the Ben Ali family fled the country, and Leila Ben Ali became a symbol of the excesses and cronyism associated with the regime. She and her family faced legal proceedings and exile for alleged financial crimes and corruption. While her time as First Lady presented a public image focused on cultural advancement and women's issues, her association with the Ben Ali regime's governance and the family's financial dealings became subjects of significant criticism and legal scrutiny after the government's fall.