ETHIOPIA

The Solomonic Dynasty

GENEALOGY

continued from the previous page.
Copyright© Christopher Buyers
1930 - 1974 H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and King of Kings of Ethiopia, KG (14.10.1954), GCB (c 8.7.1924), GCMG (24.4.1917), GCVO (30.10.1930), Royal Victorian Chain (30.10.1930). b. at Ejersa Goro, Harar, 23rd July 1892 as Lij Tafari Makonnen and baptised as Haile Selassie, son of H.H. Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael, KCMG, sometime Governor of Harar and of Tigray, by his first wife, Woizero Yeshe-immabet, daughter of Dejazmatch ‘Ali Aba Jiffar, of Woreilu, educ. Menelik II Sch., Addis Ababa. Granted the title of Dejazmatch, 1st November 1905. Governor of Garra Muleta 1905-1906, Salala 1906-1908, Derasa 1908-1910, and Harar 1910-1915, and of Kaffa 1915-1916. Raised to the title of Le’ul (Prince), with the style of His Highness, 11th February 1917. Appointed as Heir Apparent and Supreme Regent with the title of Ras, 27th September 1918. Raised to the title of Negus (King) with the style of His Majesty and Crowned by the Empress Zauditu at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Addis Ababa, 7th October 1928. Proclaimed as King of Kings on the death of Empress Zauditu, 3rd April 1930. Crowned at St George’s Cathedral, Arada, Addis Ababa, 2nd November 1930. Deposed in favour of his eldest son, 12th September 1974. Field Marshal Imperial Ethiopia Army, Admiral of the Fleet Imperial Ethiopian Navy, and Marshal of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force. Field Marshal in the British Army, 1st February 1965. Hon General Portuguese Army 26th July 1959. Sovereign of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Queen of Sheba, Menelik II, and the Star of Ethiopia. Founder the Orders of Solomon and the Holy Trinity in 1930. Rcvd: GC of the Order of Solomon (11.2.1917), and Cdr of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia (1909), St George Medal of War with two palms (1941), Haile Selassie I Medal of War with three palms (1941), Menelik II Military Medal in gold, Haile Selassie I Silver Medal, Patriot Medal with six torches (1944), Underground Medal with five torches (1944), Victory Star (1944), Refugee Medal with four torches, Scholarship Medal 1st class (1959), Korean War Medal (1959), Silver Jubilee Medal (1955), Haile Selassie I Medal for National Service, Eritrea Medal 1st class (1952), and Jubilee Medal (1966), Medal of Military Merit 1st class of Greece, Military Medal (Médaille Militaire) (28.10.1954) and War Cross with palm (1945) of France, Military Medal 1940-1945 of Belgium (17.7.1959), etc. Knt of the Orders of the Annunziata of Italy (1928), Golden Lion of the House of Nassau of Luxembourg (25.5.1924), White Eagle of Poland (30.10.1930), Elephant of Denmark (21.11.1954), Seraphim of Sweden (10.6.1924, collar 15.11.1954), and Maha Chakri of Thailand (1958), the Riband of the Three Military Orders of Christ, Benedict of Aviz and St James of the Sword of Portugal (31.8.1959), the Grand Collar of the Orders of the Aztec Eagle of Mexico (1954), the Nile of the Republic of Egypt (22.5.1963), Pahlavi of Iran (14.9.1964), the Liberator San Martin of Argentina, and Pius IX of the Vatican (1970), the Collar of the Orders of the Muhammad ‘Ali of Egypt (30.10.1930, GC 3.5.1924), Idris I of Libya, Chrysanthemum of Japan (19.11.1956, GC 30.10.1930), Independence of Tunisia, Hussein ibn ‘Ali of the Jordan (1960), and Muhammad of Morocco, the Chain of Honour of the Sudan, the Grand Order of the Hashimites of Iraq, GC of the Orders of the Legion of Honour of France (16.5.1924, GO 1918), SS Maurice & Lazarus (18.5.1924), and the Crown of Italy (1917), Leopold of Belgium (mil. 22.5.1924), Redeemer of Greece (19.8.1924), the Tower & Sword for Valour, Loyalty and Merit of Portugal (28.10.1925), Willem (3.11.1954) and the Netherlands Lion (7.10.1930), St Olav of Norway with collar (22.3.1949), Carlos III of Spain with collar (1954), the White Rose of Finland with collar, National Merit of Vietnam (1958), Truth (Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma) of Burma (1958), Southern Cross of Brazil with collar (4.7.1958), Leopard of Zaire with collar, Lion of Senegal, Lion of Malawi, Valour of the Cameroun, the Sun of Peru, the Bust of the Liberator Simon Bolivar with collar of Venezuela, Condor of the Andes of Bolivia, Propitious Clouds of China special grade, Oummaya of Syria, Mono of Togo, Congolese Merit of the Congo, Leopard of Somalia (1960), Equatorial Star of Gabon, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Polonia Restituta of Poland (1967), the Source of the Nile of Uganda (1972), Eagle of Zambia, and of the Orders of Merit of of the Lebanon special class (15.4.1950), the Federal Republic of Germany special class (1954), Republic of Italy with collar (21.10.1955), Chile with collar, Central Africa, and Upper Volta, and of the National Orders of Chad, Benin, Mali with collar, Madagascar, Mauritania, Guinea, and the Niger, and of the National Order of Honour and Merit of Haiti (24.4.1966), Knt G Band of the Order of the Pioneers of Liberia, G Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (1966), Chief Cdr of the Legion of Merit of the USA (1945), the Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Merit of Austria (1954), the Star of the Republic of Indonesia 1st class (Adipurna) (1958), Raja of the Order of Sikatuna of the Philippines (1958), Cdr of the Order of the Shield & Spears of Buganda (17.6.1964), and the Orders of the Yugoslavian Grand Star (21.7.1954), Pakistan 1st class (Hilal-i-Pakistan) (1958),the White Lion 1st class with collar (mil) of Czechoslovakia (13.7.1959), Star of Romania (1964), State Crown of Malaysia (DMN) (21.5.1968), King Abdul Aziz 1st class of Saudi Arabia (16.7.1957), Star of Ghana (1970), and the Banner of the People’s Republic of Hungary 1st class with diamonds (1964), etc. m. (first) 1909 (div. by order of Emperor Iyasu, 1911) Woizero Woinetu Amede [Altayech] [Altash] (b. 1897; d. 1935), daughter of an aide to his father, Ras Makonnen. m. (second) at Harar, 30th July 1911, H.I.M. Empress (Itege) Menen [Walatta Giyorgis] (b. at Egua, Ambassel, Wollo, 25th March 1889; d. at Addis Ababa, 15th February 1962, bur. there at the Holy Trinity Cathedral), educ. privately, raised to the title of Le’ult (Princess), with the style of Her Highness 11th February 1917, crowned with her husband at St George’s Cathedral, Arada, Addis Ababa, 2nd November 1930, Patron Assoc for the Benefit of Ethiopian Women 1935, Ethiopian Women’s Assoc, Empress Menen Sch, etc. rcvd. the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon (30.10.1930), GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba (1928), Imperial Coron (1930), Refugee (1944), and Jubilee (1955) medals, Member of the Order of the Seraphim of Sweden (19.12.1959), former wife of xxx ‘Ali, Jantirar Amade, of Ambassel, and of Ras Bitwoded Le’ul Seggad Atnaf Seggad, sometime Governor of Kefa, and daughter of Dejazmatch Asfaw Mikael, Jantirar of Ambassel, by his wife Woizero Sehin, eldest daughter of H.H. Negus Mikael, King of Zion. He was k. in prison at Addis Ababa, 27th August 1975 (bur. there at the Holy Trinity Cathedral), having had issue, three sons and four daughters:
  • 1) H.I.H. Meridazmatch Asfa Wossen Haile Selassie [Amha Selassie], who succeeded as H.I.M. Amha Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia (s/o Empress Menen) - see below.
  • 2) Lieutenant-General H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Makonnen Haile Selassie [Araya Yohannes], Duke of Harar, GCVO (14.10.1954). b. at Addis Ababa, 16th October 1923 (s/o Empress Menen), educ. St Christopher’s Prep Sch, Bath, Somerset, Wellington Coll, Crowthorne, Berkshire, and Gordonstoun, Elgin, Moray, Scotland. Raised to the title of Le’ul (Prince), with the style of His Imperial Highness, 3rd April 1930, and granted the title of Mesfin Harar (Duke of Harar) 9th May 1933. Appointed Maj-Gen 18/4/1941, Governor-General of Harar 1941-1957. Officer of Honour Ethiopian Boy Scouts 1934. Presdt Harar & Province Club. Patron Yeshimabet Tamaribet Sch. Rcvd: the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon, GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Holy Trinity, Menelik II, and the Star of Ethiopia, St George Medal of War, Haile Selassie I Medal of War, Haile Selassie Gold Medal, Star of Victory (1944), Refugee with five torches (1944), and the Imperial Coronation (1930) and Jubilee (1955) medals, Knt of the Orders of the Elephant of Denmark (21.11.1954), and Serephim of Sweden (15.11.1954), GC of the Orders of Vasa of Sweden (9.1.1935), Isabella the Catholic of Spain (1954), Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1954), St Olav of Norway (1954), Leopold II of Belgium (1954), House of Orange of the Netherlands (3.11.1954), Phoenix (1954) and George I (x.4.1959) of Greece, the Chrysanthemum of Japan (19.11.1956), the Grand Decoration of Honour for Merit in Gold with Sash of Austria (1954), and the Orders of the Star of Yugoslavia 1st class (21.7.1954), and Star of Burma (1958). m. at Addis Ababa, 10th February 1946, H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Sarah Gizaw, Duchess of Harar (b. at Rayana Kobo, Wollo, 1st February 1928; d. at Addis Ababa, 15th February 2019), educ. Royal Infirmary Nursing Sch, Edinburgh, Scotland, imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-May 1988, rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba, Haile Selassie I Family Order 1st class (2.11.1955), and Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), Mbr of the Order of the Serephim of Sweden (15.11.1954), GC of the Orders of Beneficience of Greece (29.7.1954), the House of Orange of the Netherlands (3.11.1954), Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (8.11.1954), and Isabel the Catholic of Spain (4.5.1972), the Grand Decoration of Honour for Merit in Gold with Sash of Austria (14.11.1954), the Orders of the Star of Yugoslavia 1st class (21.7.1954), and the Virtues 1st class of the Republic of Egypt (24.6.1959), daughter of Gizaw Abera, sometime Nibure Id of Aksum, and granddaughter of Dejazmach Abera Tedla. He d.v.p. at Addis Ababa from injuries received in a car crash, while driving to Nazareth, 13th May 1957 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), having had issue, five sons:
    • a) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Pawlus Wossen Seged Makonnen, Duke of Harar (Mesfin Harar). b. at Addis Ababa, 21st August 1947, educ. in Scotland, at Millfield Sch, Street, Somerset, and Leysin American Sch (LAS), Leysin, Vaud, Switzerland. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1989. Proprietor Wabeshabuelle Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. Rcvd: Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966). m. at Clark, Nevada, USA, 19th March 1995, Connie Jo Quave (b. 30th September 1957), educ. West Los Angeles Coll, Los Angeles, California, Admin Assist Bermudez & Asocs 1985-1987, Paralegal with John T. Doyle, Inglewood, California 1987-1992, Legal Sec II Nevada Attorney General's Office 1997-1998, Marketing Rep Citigroup 1998-2007, Mngr & Independent Assoc with Legal Shield since 2007, former wife of Charles Wilbun, and daughter of Joseph John Quave, Snr, of Culver City, California, USA, by his wife, Barbara Lois Quave, sometime court reporter.
    • b) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Mikael Amaha Amde Yesus Makonnen [Prince Michael Makonnen]. b. at Addis Ababa, 30th January 1950, educ. Lycée Franco Ethiopiene Guebre Mariam, Addis Ababa, and Ashbury Coll, Rockcliffe, Ontario, Canada. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1989. Settled in Ottawa, Canada. Rcvd: Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966). m. H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Asrat Amaha Yesus.
    • c) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Dawit Makonnen Makonnen Makonnen [Prince David Makonnen]. b. at Addis Ababa, 30th January 1952, educ. Schule Schloss Salem, Salem, Baden-Baden, Germany, RMA Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey, and Fort Knox, USA. Cmsnd as 2nd-Lieut British Army 18/12/1972, transf as Lieut 3rd Armoured Dvsn Imperial Ethiopian Army 1973, resig 1974, trained as a commercial airline pilot after the coup d’etat. Settled in Washington, USA after the revolution, and removed to Geneva, Switzerland February 1989. Rcvd: Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966). m. at Addis Ababa, 16th April 1974, H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Adey-Abeba Imru Makonnen (b. at Addis Ababa, 11th March 1951), . Marymount International Sch, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, and the American Univ in Paris, France, London Sch of Economics & Political Science (LSE), London, and Cornell Univ, Ithaca, New York, USA, joined UNHCR 1997, HR Officer in New York 1997-1999 and Addis Ababa 1999-2002, Chief Civilian Personnel Officer UN Mission in Bosnia Herzegovina 2002-2003, Snr HR Officer Afghanistan 2003-2004, Snr Admin Officer Liberia 2004-2005, HR Officer WHO 2005-2007, Snr Admin Officer (HR) New York 2007-2011, HR Specialist in Geneva with WHO 2013 and UNHCR 2014/2015, HR Consultant and Professional Trainer and Coach since 2011, Mbr International Coaching Fed since 2014, International Assoc of Facilitators since 2014, Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network since 2013, National Career Development Assoc since 2015, Lions Club International, UN Assoc of the USA, etc elder daughter of H.E. Lij Imru Zelleke, sometime Ambassador to Germany and Minister of State for Commerce, by his wife, Woizero Martha Nasibu (now Marchesa Francesco Tortora Brayda di Belvedere), daughter of General H.E. Ras Nasibu Zamanuel, sometime Minister for War and a hero of the Italian War. He d. from injuries received in a car crash, at Nyon, Switzerland, 26th August 1989, having had issue, two sons:
      • i) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Yokshan Dawit Makonnen. b. at Vero Beach, Florida, USA, 8th February 1978, educ. Sainte-Croix des Neiges, Abondance, Upper Savoy, France, and Coll du Léman, Versoix, Switzerland, McGill Univ, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Villanova Univ (BSc), Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA, European Inst of Business Administration (INSEAD), Fontainebleau, France, and Northwestern Univ, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Project Team Leader Advanced Alchemy Ltd in Oxford 2002-2005, Business Development Mngr Shopping.com 2005-2008, Sales Mngr TD Tech 2008-2009, Sales and Key Account Mngr with Shopping.com in Paris, Program Advisor Team Leader at INSEAD Business Sch 2010-2015, Independent Sales and Marketing Consultant since 2015. Mbr Alchemy World Honorary Brd since 2007. Dir Wabe Sheebelle Hotels SC since 2011. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
      • ii) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Yoel Dawit Makonnen [Joel D. Makonnen]. b. at Rome, Italy, 5th May 1982, educ. Coll du Léman, Versoix, Switzerland, Sainte-Croix des Neiges, Abondance, Upper Savoy, France, Lycée Français Joseph Kessel, Djibouti, Lycée Ste Famille, La Roche-Sur-Foron, Upper Savoy, Rhone-Alpes, France, International Community Sch, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Euro-American Inst of Technology (EAI Tech), Sophia Antipolis, Alpes-Maritime, France, American Univ (BBA 2006), and Howard Univ Sch of Law (JD 2015), Washington DC, USA. Sales Marketing Mngr MS Innovations-allmysms.com 2006-2007, Sales Assoc Tourneau 2007-2008, Dir of Grants Humanities Council 2009-2010, Fundraiser with UNHCR Private Sector Fundraising and Legal Unit 2011-2012, International Trade Compliance Officer Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP 2013, Law Clerk with Equal Employment Opportunity EEO Offices of James S. Gee 2013, Compliance Project Mngr with Telesis 2016-2017, Corporate Paralegal Legal Affairs Dept of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc since 2017, Legal Volunteer Neighborhood Legal Services Programe since 2017. Country Dir Alchemy World USA 2009-2017. Dir Wabe Sheebelle Hotels SC since 2011. m. at the Debre Genet Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Temple Hills, Maryland, 9th September 2017, H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Ariana Joy Lalita Austin (b. 1984), educ. Univ of Maryland (BA), College Park, Maryland, and Howard Univ (M.Ed. 2014), Washington DC, USA, Grad Assist I in th Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Educ Hornbake Library 2007, now employd with Executives Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, daughter of Dr Bobby William Austin, of Washington DC, USA, sometime Presdt Neighborhood Assocs Corp and MD of EducationThinkTank, by his wife, Joyce [Joy] Ford Austin, sometime Exec Dir of the District of Columbia Humanities Council (HumanitiesDC), eldst daughter of John Meredith Ford, of Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, sometime Lord Mayor of Georgetown, Guyana.
    • d) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Fileppos Tafari Makonnen [Prince Philip Makonnen]. b. at Addis Ababa 15th June 1954, educ. Northease Manor Sch, Lewes, Sussex, and Kingswood Sch, Bath, Somerset. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1989. Settled in Canada, later lived in the USA, where he worked as a car sales man ca 1990. Grand Master Order of Saint Mary of Zion since 2003. Rcvd: Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), GC of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the RH of Georgia. m. at St John Chysostom Orthodox Church, Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana, USA, 19th July 1990, H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Aster Abitow Makonnen (b. at Addis Ababa, 1st February 1968), educ. Nazareth Sch, Addis Ababa, Anglican International Sch, Jerusalem, Israel, Rønningen folkehøgskole, Oslo, Norway, and Indiana Univ-Purdue Univ Fort Wayne (IPFW), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, sometime travel agent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Laboratory Technician with the Lutheran Health Network 1992-1995 and Parkview Hospital 1999-2002, Principal Partner Aster Tech Supply LLC, rcvd: GC of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the RH of Georgia, daughter of Abitow Gabre Yesus, of Addis Ababa, by his wife, Woizero Debritu W. Gabral. He has issue, two sons and a daughter:
      • i) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Dawit Tafari [David] Makonnen. b. at Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, 1992, educ. Northrop High Sch, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.
      • ii) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Isayas [Isaiah] Tafari Makonnen. b. at Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1998, educ. Northrop High Sch, Fort Wayne, and Indiana Univ, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
      • i) H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Edna E. Makonnen, educ. Northrop High Sch, Fort Wayne, Indiana Univ (BSc 2014, Bloomington, and Indiana Wesleyan Univ, Marion, Indiana, USA. Exec Assist (Operations) STAR Financial Bank 2014-2015. m. (affianced) Jamal Robinson, educ. Northrop High Sch, and Indiana Univ-Purdue Univ Fort Wayne (IPFW), Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Singularity Univ, Mountain View, California, USA, Chair RSG International since 2009, son of Earl Robinson.
    • d) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Be’eda Mariam Makonnen. b. at Addis Ababa, 30th March 1957, educ. Gabre Maryam Sch, and Addis Ababa Univ, and in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1989. Chief Executive for Internal Affairs for the Crown Council. Mbr Imperial Racing Club of Ethiopia. Rcvd: Imperial Jubilee Medal (1966). m. H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Mahelate Be’eda Mariam. He has issue, one daughter:
      • i) H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Blaine Be’eda Mariam.
  • The Duke of Harrar also had further issue, a natural daughter:
    • a) Woizero Meheret Makonnen. b. before 1945. m. ...
  • 3) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Sahle-Selassie Haile Selassie [Sahle Aba Dina]. b. at the Menelik Palace, Addis Ababa, 27th February 1931 (s/o Empress Menen), educ. Marlborough Coll, Wiltshire, Wellington Coll, Crowthorne, Berkshire, and Cambridge Univ. Cmsnd as Flight Lieut IIAF, Ethiopian Representative to the Conference of Independent African States at Accra 1958, Governor-General of Gemu Goffa 1959-1960. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Seal of Solomon, Refugee (1944) and Imperial Jubilee (1955) medals, Knt of the Order of the Seraphim of Sweden (19.12.1959), GC of the Orders of the Chrysanthemum of Japan, House of Orange of the Netherlands, Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Aztec Eagle of Mexico (1954), the Order of the Star of Yugoslavia 1st class (21.7.1954), and Knt G Band of the Order of the Pioneers of Liberia. m. at Addis Ababa, 14th June 1959, H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Mahzente (b. at Nekemt, 9th February 1937), rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba, and Imperial Jubilee Medal (1966), Mbr of the Order of the Serephim of Sweden (19.12.1959), daughter of H.E. Dejazmatch Habte Mariam Gabre-Igziabiher, of Liqa Nekemt and Governor of Wollega, by his wife, Woizero Shashitu. He d.v.p. at Addis Ababa, 23rd April 1962 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), having had issue, an only son:
    • a) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Ermias Sahle-Selassie. b. at Addis Ababa, 14th June 1960, educ. The Old Ride Sch, Bradford-upon-Avon, Haileybury, Hertford, Univ of California at Santa Barbara (BA Econ. 1981), California, and the Fletcher Sch of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts Univ, Medford, Massachusetts, USA. Presdt Imperial Crown Council since 15th July 1993 (recognised by Crown Prince Zara Yakob 16th March 2005), founder of the Imperial Soc of St George of Lalibela, Washington DC 1998, Board Mbr Tuition Credit Exchange Inc, Chair Advisory Brd Bezant Corp, Patron Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopia’s Children Inc, Patron for Africa for the Flying Hospital charity; Dir La Roche Coll (Pittsburg); Mbr of the Brd US National Slavery Museum; Hon Mbr Advisory Cttee of the Angel Fndn. Sovereign Grand Master and Captain-General of the Order of St Anthony, Grand Master of the Order of the Ethiopian Lion, Joint Grand Master of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Queen of Sheba, Holy Trinity, Menelik II, Haile Selassie, and the Star of Ethiopia, the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon, GC of the Order of Francis I of the Two Sicilies, Medal of Merit (South Carolina, USA). m. (first) 9th June 1989 (div.), Woizero Gelila Fesseha, Co- Haile Selassie Fund for Ethiopia’s Children Inc until 2004, styled Princess (Le’ult) with the style of Her Imperial Highness until July 2004, daughter of H.E. Afe-Negus Fesseha Gabre-Selassie, sometime Lord Chief Justice of Ethiopia. m. (second) at Washington DC, USA, 25th February 2011, Woizero Sara Kebede. He had issue, two sons by his first wife:
      • i) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Christian Sahle-Selassie Ermias. b. 20th February 1992 (twin with his brother Prince Ruffael).
      • ii) H.I.H. Prince (Le’ul) Rufael Fesseha Zion Ermias. b. 20th February 1992 (twin with his brother Sahle).
  • 1) H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Romana Worq (d/o Woinetu Amede ), educ. privately. Raised to the title of Le’ult (Princess), with the style of Her Imperial Highness, 3rd April 1930. Taken to Italy and confined there by the Italians in 1936. Presdt Ethiopian Women’s Charitable Works Assoc. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba (1930), and Imperial Coron Medal (1930). m. 1928, Major-General H.E. Dejazmatch Beyene Merid (b. 1897; k-i-a against the Italians, at Gojetti, 19th February 1937), Shum of Bakko and Gamu-Gofa 1928-1933, Governor-General of Bale 1933-1936 and C-in-C of the Southern Army 1936-1937, son of H.E. Dejazmatch Merid Habte Mariam, sometime Shum of Bakko and Gamu-Gofa. She d. at the Ospedale Maggiore, Turin, Italy, 14th October 1940 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), having had issue, four sons:
    • a) Lij Getachew Beyene. b. 1929. Taken to Italy and confined there by the Italians in 1936. He d. from tuberculosis, at Turin, Italy, 22nd February 1944 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa).
    • b) Dejazmatch Merid Beyene. b. at Addis Ababa, 5th May 1930, educ. Haile Selassie High Sch, Addis Ababa, Brighton Coll, Brighton, Sussex, and Columbia Univ, Ithaca, New York, USA. Taken to Italy and confined there by the Italians in 1936. Released and returned to Ethiopia 1943. Governor-General of Bale 1958-1974. He d.s.p. at Fulham, London, 31st December 1990.
    • c) Dejazmatch Samson Beyene. b. at Addis Ababa, 1934, educ. Columbia Univ, Ithaca, New York, USA. Taken to Italy and confined there by the Italians in 1936. Released and returned to Ethiopia 1943. Consul-General New York 1956-1959, Counselor Ethiopian legation Stockholm 1959-1960, Charges d’Affaires Stockholm 1960-1963. m. at Addis Ababa, 1959 Woizero Koremtit Andargatchew (b. at London, 3rd December 1939; m. second, Captain Haile Girmai, and d. at London, 29th December 2012, leaving further issue), daughter of H.E. Ras Andargatchew Masai, sometime Viceroy of Eritrea, by his first wife, Woizero Sergut. He was k. in a car crash, 10th July 1963, having had issue, an only son:
      • i) Lij Sebistianos [Sebastian] Samson Beyene. b. at Lambeth, London, 18th September 1960. Settled in Abingdon, Buckinghamshire.
    • d) Lij Gideon Beyene. b. 1935. Taken to Italy and confined there by the Italians in 1936. He d. young at Turin, Italy, 194x (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa).
  • 2) H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Tenagne Worq [Fikirte Mariam], DBE (c 13.1.1932). b. at Harar, 30th January 1913 (d/o Empress Menen), educ. privately. Raised to the title of Le’ult (Princess), with the style of Her Imperial Highness 3rd April 1930. Presdt Ethiopian Womens Charitable Works Assoc 1941-1974. Imperial Patron Abbis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Patron of Sebeta Sch and Centre for the Blind, etc. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1988, settled in Wasington DC in 1989 and returned to Addis Ababa 1999. Rcvd: the Grand Collar and Chain of the Order of Solomon (1930), and GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba (1930), Imperial Coron (1930), Refugee (1944), and Jubilee (1955 & 1966) medals, GC of the Orders of the Sacred Crown of Japan (19.11.1956), Beneficience of Greece (28.2.1959), St Olav of Norway (10.1.1966), and House of Orange of the Netherlands (23.1.1969), GO of the Order of the Legion of Honour of France (2.1.1932). m. (first) at Addis Ababa, 16th November 1924, Lieutenant-General H.H. Ras Desta Damtew, KBE (c 13.1.1932) (b. 1892; k. by the Italians, at Egia, 24th February 1937, bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), Governor of Gamo, Kaffa and Jemma 1928-1931, and of Sidamo 1932-1933, Env. Extr. & Min. Plen. to the USA 1933, Shum of Bakko and Gamu-Gofa 1933-1935, C-in-C Southern Army 1935-1936, raised to the personal titles of Fitawrari, Dejazmatch 1924, and Ras 1933, rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Holy Trinity, Menelik II and the Star of Ethiopia, and the Imperial Coron Medal (1930), GO of the Order of the Legion of Honour of France (2.1.1932), son of H.E. Fitawrari Damtew Ketena, sometime Envoy Ext. & Min. Plen. to Russia. m. (second) at the Miskea Hazunan Medhane Alem Church, Addis Ababa, 17th September 1944, as his second wife, H.E. Ras Andargatchew Masai (b. at Addis Ababa, 25th March 1902; d. at London, 16th August 1981, bur. Kensal Green Cemetary), educ. Ste Barbe, Paris, Consul at Djibouti 1935-1936, Liaison Officer between the Emperor and the Italian forces 1936-1941, Vice-Governor of Harar 1941-1942, Governor of Begemidir and Simien 1946-1952, and Sidamo 1961-1964, Minister for Justice 1943-1946, and the Interior 1958-1961, and Viceroy of Eritrea 1952-1959, Senator of the Empire and Crown Councellor, raised to the personal title of Ras 1965, rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, Holy Trinity, Menelik II, and the Star of Ethiopia, Victory Star (1944), Patriot (1944), Refugee (1944), Imperial Coron (1930) and Jubilee (1955 & 1966) medals, GC of the Order of George I of Greece (28.2.1959), and the Royal Order of Sahametrei of Cambodia (4.5.1968), etc. She d. in Ethiopia, 6th April 2003 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), having had issue, two sons and five daughters, by her first husband and one daughter by her second husband:
    • a) Lij Amha Desta. b. 21st August 1928 (s/o Ras Desta). He d. from tuberculosis, at Bath, Somerset, 3rd November 1944.
    • b) Rear-Admiral H.H. Prince (Le’ul) Iskander Desta. b. 6th August 1934 (s/o Ras Desta), educ. HMS Britannia Royal Naval Coll, Dartmouth, Devon. Cmsnd as Midshipman RN 1954, and as Sub-Lieut Imperial Ethiopian Navy 1955, attached HMS Gambia and HMS Hornet 1956-1957, prom Cdr 25/1/1958, Deputy C-in-C Ethiopian Navy 1958-1974, prom Cdre 1966, prom Rear Admiral 1973. Mbr Exec Ctee International Christian Fellowship. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Seal of Solomon, the Holy Trinity, and Menelik II, and Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), GC of the Orders of St Olav of Norway (20.10.1958), Christ of Portugal (9.3.1961), Merit of the Republic of Italy (6.11.1970), and Naval Merit of Spain (28.4.1971). m. at Addis Ababa, 1967 (div. 1969), Woizero Sofia Amanuel, daughter of H.E. Ato Amanuel Abraham, GCVO, sometime Minister for Education. He was k. at Akaki Prison, Addis Ababa, 23rd November 1974, having had issue, an only daughter:
      • i) Immabet Naomi Iskander. b. 1969. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
    • a) H.H. Princess (Le’ult) Aida Desta [Bisrate Gabriel]. b. 8th April 1927 (d/o Ras Desta), educ. the Bolitho Sch of St Clair, Penzance, Cornwall, Clarendon Sch, Abergale, North Wales, and Newnham Coll, Oxford (BA 1948, MA 1970). Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1988. Presdt Ethiopian Women’s Welfare Assoc. Hon Chair The African Services Committee (New York). Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Queen of Sheba, and the Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), GC of the Orders of Beneficience of Greece (28.2.1959), Crown of Belgium (17.7.1959), Southern Cross of Brazil (29.11.1962), and Defender of the Realm (SMN) of Malaysia (21.5.1968), Order of the Virtues 1st class of the Republic of Egypt (24.6.1959), Cdr of the Order of the Volta of Ghana (1970), etc. m. at Addis Ababa, January 1949, H.H. Le’ul Ras Mangasha Seyum, Prince of Tigray, GCVO (b. at Dengolat, Enderta, Tigray, 7th December 1927), second son of Field Marshal H.H. Le’ul Ras Seyum Mangasha, Prince of Tigray, KBE, by his second wife, H.H. Princess Atsede, only daughter of Dejazmatch Asfaw Darge, Governor of Salala. She d. at Alexandria, Virginia, USA, 15th January 2013 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa), having had issue, five sons and two daughters - see Ethiopia (Tigray).
    • b) H.H. Princess (Immabet Hoy) Hiruta Mariam Desta [H.H. Princess Ruth Desta]. b. 20th April 1930 (d/o Ras Desta), educ. the Bolitho Sch of St Clair, Penzance, Cornwall, and Clarendon Sch, Abergale, North Wales. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1988. Chair Cttee for the Restoration of the Churches of Lalibela. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba of Ethiopia, Imperial Coron (1930) and Jubilee (1955 & 1966) medals, etc. m. at Addis Ababa, 1968, Major-General H.E. Nega Tegagne (b. 23rd July 1930; d. at London, May 2002), educ. Imperial Bodyguard Coll, Addis Ababa,Wellington Staff Coll, India, and Royal Coll of Defence Studies, UK, served in UN force in Korea 1951-1953 and OAU force Congo 1961-1963, prom Col 1963, Chief Adstr South Ogaden 1963, UN observer in Angola and Biafra, prom Maj-Gen 1971, cdr third dvsn 1971-1974, Governor of Gondar 1974, Founder Mbr Ethiopian Democratic Union 1975, rcvd: Orders of Menelik II and the Holy Trinity, Korea (1959), Congo (1963), Imperial Coron (1930), Jubilee (1955 & 1966), and UN Congo Peacekeeping medals, etc.
    • c) H.H. Princess (Immabet Hoy) Sabla-Wangel Desta [Princess Sybil Desta], DCVO (1.2.1965). b. 29th August 1931 (d/o Ras Desta), educ. the Bolitho Sch of St Clair, Penzance, Cornwall, and Clarendon Sch, Abergale, North Wales. Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1988. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba, and the Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), GC of the Orders of the Aztec Eagle of Mexico (19.6.1954), House of Orange of the Netherlands (23.1.1969), etc. m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa, 31st January 1960(in a double wedding with her sister Sofia), H.E. Dejazmatch Kassa Wolde Mariam (b. 1932), sometime Vice-Chancellor of Haile Selassie I Univ and Minister for Agriculture, son of Wolde Mariam Jote, heir of the Oromo ruling family of Liqa Quellem, in Wollega. She had issue, one son and four daughters:
      • i) Lij Amha Kassa. b. 14th November 1960, educ. Brown Univ (BA 1994), Univ of California, Berkeley (JD 2012), California, and Harvard Univ (MPP 2012), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Escaped from confinement 1977. Apprentice Organizer & Campus Recruiter AFL-CIO Organizing Inst 1994-1996, Outreach Dir San Francisco Health Authority 1996-1997, Worksite Organizer SEIU Local 521 1997-1999, Exec Dir East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy 1999-2008, Legal Intern ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties 2009 and Center for Justice & Accountability 2010, Independent Consultant Information Technology and Services 2008-2011, Founder & Exec Dir African Communities Together (ACT) since 2011.
      • i) Immabet Jote Kassa. b. 14th November 1960 (twin with her brother Lij Amha), educ. Univ of London (BA), and New York Univ (JD 1990), New York, USA. Escaped from confinement 1977. Advocate 1991, Vice-Presdt and Assist General Counsel at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, Dir J.P. Morgan Private Investments Inc, J.P. Morgan Leveraged Loans Ltd, Dir & Snr Counsel Deutsche Bank in New York, Vice-Presdt J.P. Morgan Private Investments Inc 2010, etc. Agent for Tsige Mariam Family Org. m. …
      • ii) Woizerit Yashimmabet Kassa. b. 1962. Escaped from confinement 1977.
      • iii) Woizerit Debritu Laly Kassa. b. 1963. Escaped from confinement 1977. Certified Financial Planner (CFP) at Citi Private Bank in Washington DC, Advisor at Chevy Chase Trust Co. Chair & CEO of Arya International Inc.
      • iv) Woizerit Kokeb Kassa. b. 1967. Escaped from confinement 1977.
    • d) H.H. Princess (Immabet Hoy) Sofia Desta. b. 1st January 1933 (d/o Ras Desta). Imprisoned by the Dergue 1974-1988. Patron Princess Sophia Desta Elementary Sch (Entoto). Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Queen of Sheba, Sheba, and the Imperial Jubilee Medals (1955 & 1966), GC of the Orders of Queen Kossomak of Cambodia (4.5.1968), Isabel the Catholic of Spain (28.4.1971), etc. m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa, 31st January 1960(in a double wedding with her sister Sebla-Wangel), Captain Dereje Haile Mariam (b. 1937; k. at Addis Ababa, 16th December 1960), son of Haile Mariam, of Shoa, and a great-grandson of Shiferes Kefitu. She had issue, one daughter:
      • i) Woizero Hannah Mehreta Selassie Dereje. b. at Addis Ababa, 1961. m. Ato Aklok Desta, son of Ato Desta Aklok. She has issue, one son:
        • (1) Lij Desta Aklok. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
    • e) Woizerit Mentewab Andargatchew (d/o Ras Andargatchew). She d. young.
  • H.I.H. Princess Tenagne Worq also had issue, by H.E. Ato Abebe Retta (b. 1908; k. at Addis Ababa, 23rd November 1974), sometime Ambassador at the Court of St James’s, and Minister for Health 1964 (Vice-Minister 1946), a daughter:
    • f) H.H. Princess (Immabet-Hoy) Tsige Mariam Abebe [Princess Mary Abeba]. b. at Bath, Somerset, April 1940, educ. London Univ (LLB). m. at Addis Ababa, 28th October 1962, as his second wife, H.E. Dr Seyoum Haregot (b. at Arbate Asmara, Eritrea, 27th October 1932; d. Washington DC, USA, 5th March 2012, bur. Endamariam Cemetry, Asmara Eritrea), educ. Haleka Ugbandrias Sch, Edaga Arbi, Scola Vittorio, Acria Italain Sch, and Swedish Evangelical Mission High Sch, Asmara, Eritrea, Comboni Prep Coll, Khartoum, Sudan, American Univ of Beirut (BA 1954), Lebanon, and Harvard Univ (JD 1957), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Legal Adviser Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1957-1958, Dir-Gen Legal & Parliamentary Affairs in the PM‘s Office 1958-1961, Assist Minister to the PM for Political, Parliamentary & Legal Affairs 1961-1966 (actg Minister for Information 1964-1965), Minister of State & Minister for the office of the PM 1966-1974, imprisoned by the Derge 1974-1982, Lecturer in Law at Addis Ababa Univ 1983-1985, settled in the USA 1985, Legal Counsel at Center for Responsive Law and Lecturer in Law Georgetown Univ Law Sch in Washington DC 1985-1990, Snr Technical Adviser UNDP Management Development Programme in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Eritrea 1990-2002, MEC Eritrean Govt Constitutional Cmsn 1997, National Cmsn on Zuqar-Hanish Archipelagos Dispute, etc, Chair & CEO Lemlem Enterpises 2002, author of “Conventional rights and duties in the Nile Valley” (1957), “The Failed Promise of the National Cooperative Bank” (1989), “From the Hills of Arbaate Asmera to Harvard Square” (2012), and “The Bureaucratic Empire: Serving Emperor Haile Selassie” (2012), editor of “Law-making and Development” (1987), rcvd: Orders from Ethiopia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, Greece, Hungary, Nigeria, the Sudan, and Yugoslavia, former husband of Woizero Abebech Mengesha, and son of H.E. Dejazmatch Haregot Abbai, KCVO, sometime Mayor of Asmara, by his wife, Woizero Lemlem Gabre-Kidane, daughter of Gabre-Kidane Kidanai. She d. by suicide, at Addis Ababa, 9th March 1975, having had issue, five children, including three sons and one daughter:
      • i) Lij Yonathan Seyoum Haregot. b. at the Princess Tsahai Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, 1965. Settled in Annandale, Virginia, USA. Sometime Application Developer with Salsa Labs, now in the cleaning, and maintenance business. m. Woizero Freweini Taddesse, daughter of Ato Tadesse Mehari, by his wife, Woizero Amaretch Yohannes. He has issue, two sons:
        • (1) Lij Nahome Haregot. Mbr Bethesda Soccer Club.
        • (2) Lij Naod Haregot, educ. Robert Frost Middle Sch, Deer Park, New York, and Wilbert Tucker Woodson High Sch, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
      • ii) Lij Thomas Seyoum Haregot. b. at Addis Ababa, 21st March 1968. m. at Addis Ababa, January 1998, Woizero Asmite Mesfin (b. 16th July 1969), daughter of Ato Mesfin Embaye, by his wife, Woizero Hiwot Gabre-Igziabiher. He has issue, one son and one daughter:
        • (1) Lij Adonai Haregot.
        • (1) Woizerit Lydia Haregot. b. 21st April 19xx.
      • iii) Lij Abbai Seyoum Haregot. b. at Addis Ababa, 8th February 1970, educ. Univ of Virginia (UVA) (BBA 1998), Dartmouth, Virginia, USA. Snr Financial Analyst in General Motors (GM) Treasurer’s Office 1998-2001, Business Development Mngr Chevron Corp since 2005. Settled in Singapore.
      • iv) A still-born child, October 1974.
      • i)Woizero Saba Seyoum Haregot. b. at Addis Ababa, 25th December 1963. Settled in Seabrook, Texas, USA. m. at Harris, Texas, USA, 30th June 1994, Daniel Patrick Curnock (b. 20th March 1961), Mngr & CEO of Performance Chemicals LLC, E D Partners Management LLC, and E D Holdings LP.
  • 3) H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Zannaba Worq [Hirute Selassie]. b. at Addis Ababa, 25th July 1917 (d/o Empress Menen). Raised to the title of Le’ult (Princess), with the style of Her Imperial Highness, 3rd April 1930. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba (1930), and Imperial Coron Medal (1930). m. at Addis Ababa, 15th June 1932, H.H. Prince (Le’ul) Haile Selassie Gugsa, CBE (b. 1907; d. at Ambo, 1985), sometime Governor of Eastern Tigray, son of H.H. Le’ul Ras Gugsa Araya, Prince of Tigray, by his first wife. She d. in childbirth at Makalle, 24th March 1933 (bur. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa) - see Ethiopia (Tigray).
  • 4) H.I.H. Princess (Le’ult) Tsahai Worq [Walatta Birhane]. b. at Addis Ababa, 13th October 1919 (d/o Empress Menen), educ. Switzerland. Raised to the title of Le’ult (Princess) with the style of Her Imperial Highness 3rd April 1930. Trained as a nurse at the Great Ormond Street Children’s and Guy’s Hospitals in London, and later worked at Dessie Hospital in Ethiopia. Hon Presdt Assoc for the Benefit of Ethiopian Women 1935-1942. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Queen of Sheba (1930), and Imperial Coron Medal (1930). m. at Addis Ababa, 26th April 1942, Lieutenant-General H.E. Lij Abiye Abebe, KBE (c 13.11.1958) (b. 1918; m. second, 1946, Woizero Amarech Nasibu, and k. at Addis Ababa, 23rd November 1974), prom Brig-Gen. 26/4/1942, Governor General of Wollega 1942-1943, Minister for War 1949-1955 (Actg. 1943-1947), Justice 1958-1961, and the Interior 1961-1974, Ambassador to France 1955-1958, Viceroy of Eritrea 1959-1961, Presdt. of the Senate 1964-1974, Minister for Defence and COS 28th Feb-22nd Jul 1974, rcvd: GC of the Orders of Menelik II, Legion of Honour of France, Sahametrei of Cambodia (4.5.1968), St Olav of Norway (10.1.1966), Military Medal of St George, Haile Selassie gold medal 1st class, Patriot Medal & three palms, Refugee Medal, and British 39/45 & Africa stars, and War medal, son of Liqa Makas Abebe Atnaf Seggad. She d.s.p. at Lekempti, 17th August 1942 (bur: at The Taeka Negest, Ba’eta Le Mariam Monastery Church, Addis Ababa).
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Copyright© Christopher Buyers, May 2001 - February 2019