Kim Il-sungNorth Korea 1948–1994 Appointed prime minister in 1948; purged rivals in the Workers' Party of Korea to consolidate power in 1956 (see [86]); introduced "Juche" ideology demanding absolute loyalty to him and the party; created most pervavise cult of personality in recent history. Declared "Eternal President" on his death.
Napoleon BonaparteFrance 1799–1804, then became Emperor First Consul, 1799-1804. Emperor of the French 1804-1814 and once again from 1814-1815. Declared himself "First Consul for Life" in 1802 and then Emperor in 1804.
Vladimir LeninSoviet Union 1917–1924 Head of Bolshevik Revolution took power in 1917. Secured victory in the Russian civil war. Headed effort to transform the Russian economy to a socialist model.[97]
Joseph StalinSoviet Union 1924–1953 General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, 1922-1953; Premier of the Soviet Union 1941-1953. Never elected; cult of personality; militant atheist, heavily repressive; responsible for deaths of millions of Soviet citizens (see [104], [105],[106]).