Born in January 1948. Went into teaching and studied in US. Worked for Liberian president Samuel Doe running the General Services Agency, and had control of much of budget. Doe accused him of embezzling almost $1m in 1983 and he fled to the US.
Imprisoned by US authorities but escaped in 1985. Believed to have got military training with other dissidents in Libya.
In 1989 launched a rebellion from the Ivory Coast to overthrow Doe, who was killed in 1990. Civil war lasted seven years, killing up to 250,000 people.
Won presidential election in 1997. A rebellion against his rule started in 2000.
Indicted for crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone by a UN-backed court in June 2003. Accused of taking diamonds in return for arming rebels during that country's civil war.
Stepped down as president in August 2003 as part of deal to end civil war. Flew into exile in Nigeria.