Throughout history, many political leaders have been victims of targeted violence. On August 28, 2025,* was killed in an Israeli air strike. Al-Rarahawi was part of the Houthi-led Supreme Political Council, a self-proclaimed government that controls Western Yemen in opposition to the internationally recognized government of Yemen that administers the remaining territory in a context of civil war.
High number of assassinations during the Cold War
The number of assassinations peaked in the 1970s, partly because of power struggles in former colonies. Many of the leaders assassinated were killed in coup d'etats. Some of the most well-known names on the list include the two former U.S. presidents William McCarthey and John F. Kennedy, former Russian Tsar Nicholas II, and the former Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi.
Long-ruling state leaders
Some state leaders held on to their power for decades and survived several coup attempts. Since 1900, **, who ruled Cuba for over ** years, was the longest ruling non-royal leader. Of the current state leaders, **** in Cameroon holds the record for the longest-ruling leader.
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The Economic Times, & Eurasia Group, & Wikipedia, & BBC. (October 6, 2025). Political leaders and figures assassinated worldwide, from 1900 to 2025 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from /statistics/1319337/politicians-assassinated-globally/
The Economic Times, und Eurasia Group, und Wikipedia, und BBC. "Political leaders and figures assassinated worldwide, from 1900 to 2025." Chart. October 6, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 20, 2026. /statistics/1319337/politicians-assassinated-globally/
The Economic Times, Eurasia Group, Wikipedia, BBC. (2025). Political leaders and figures assassinated worldwide, from 1900 to 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 20, 2026. /statistics/1319337/politicians-assassinated-globally/
The Economic Times, and Eurasia Group, and Wikipedia, and BBC. "Political Leaders and Figures Assassinated Worldwide, from 1900 to 2025." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 6 Oct 2025, /statistics/1319337/politicians-assassinated-globally/
The Economic Times & Eurasia Group & Wikipedia & BBC, Political leaders and figures assassinated worldwide, from 1900 to 2025 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1319337/politicians-assassinated-globally/ (last visited July 20, 2026)
Political leaders and figures assassinated worldwide, from 1900 to 2025 [Graph], The Economic Times, & Eurasia Group, & Wikipedia, & BBC, October 6, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1319337/politicians-assassinated-globally/
