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History is tainted with ruthless rulers, but despite the atrocities many of these leaders committed, they also had families. Indeed, many infamous dictators, despots, and all types of authoritarian leaders had sons and daughters. Some of whom, actually, took advantage of their position and followed in their parents' footsteps. Yet several others went in completely opposite directions.In this gallery, we bring you the children of history's most infamous dictators and their stories. Click on to find out who they are.
The former Premier of the Soviet Union had five children: Vasily Stalin (left), Yakov Dzhugashvili, Svetlana Alliluyeva (center), Artyom Sergeyev (adopted), and an unnamed boy (presumably his first child).
Officially Stalin's eldest son, Yakov Dzhugashvili fought against the Nazis. He was captured and imprisoned by the Germans, and eventually died at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in 1943.
For her part, Svetlana Alliluyeva made history in 1967 when she defied all of her father's wishes and every tradition of the Soviet Union by defecting to the United States. But this was only after her father passed away in 1953.
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini had six children. Among them was the late jazz pianist Romano Mussolini, aircraft pilot Bruno Mussolini, film critic Vittorio Mussolini, as well as Benito Albino Mussolini and Anna Maria Mussolini.
Edda Mussolini was also one of the Duce's children. She married Count Galeazzo Ciano, who cautioned Mussolini about allying Italy with Nazi Germany. Edda's father wasn't too happy about his son-in-law's position, so he executed him for treason.
María del Carmen Franco y Polo was the daughter of the infamous Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and his wife, Carmen Polo.
In 1978, four years after her father's death, Carmen was arrested at Madrid-Barajas International Airport for trying to smuggle gold, jewelry, and medals that once belonged to the Generalissimo.
The son of North Korea founder Kim Il-sung followed in his father footsteps. Kim Jong-il became the Supreme Leader of North Korea, and a ruthless one at that. His son, Kim Jong Un, continued his legacy.
Kim Ju-ae is the daughter of current North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. Kim Ju-ae could potentially become her father's successor.
The former Libyan leader is believed to have had at least eight children. Pictured are his sons (L-R) Saif al-Arab, Khamis (who became a military commander), and Moatassem-Billah (who became a Libyan Army officer and National Security Advisor).
Saif al-Islam Muammar is yet another son of Gaddafi. He worked alongside his father.
Another of the dictator's sons, Al-Saadi Gaddafi, went on to become a professional soccer player and captain of the national team.
Muammar Gaddafi's only daughter became a lawyer and went on to be appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador. As of 2021, Ayesha was living in Oman.
Jean-Claude Duvalier, aka "Baby Doc," followed in his father's footsteps as president of Haiti. In fact, he's regarded as being even more authoritarian than his father.
The son of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet worked as a military general in his father's regime.
Marco Antonio Pinochet is the youngest son of the late dictator. He was once arrested for fraud involving millions of dollars.
Pictured are the former Chilean president's daughters, Lucía (left) and Jacqueline Pinochet (right). Lucía went on to become a local city politician. All of Pinochet's children were at one point jailed because of their connection to their father.
The former president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos had four children. One of the dictator's sons, Bongbong Marcos (far right), is the current president of the country.
The late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe (L) is pictured with his son Robert Mugabe Jr. (center left), who became a basketball player, and his youngest son Chatunga Mugabe (right). The dictator also had another son, named Michael Nhamodzenyika Mugabe, and a daughter called Bona Mugabe.
Pol Pot was a ruthless Cambodian ruler. He married Mea Son and had a daughter named Saloth Sitha (pictured). Pol Pot's other daughter, Sar Patchata, got married in 2014. Not much is known about them.
Nicu Ceaușescu (right) was a Romanian politician, just like his father, communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu (left). He lived a lavish lifestyle, until his father was executed. Nicu Ceaușescu was arrested and died two years later, in 1994.
The son of Slobodan Milošević (former president of Serbia and president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) had to flee the country after his father was removed from power. Marko Milošević was allegedly involved with organized crime in Serbia.
Jaffar Amin is one of former Ugandan leader Idi Amin's 43 (official) children. He has always defended his father and continues to try to rehabilitate Idi Amin's image.
The late Iraqi dictator had (at least) six children. Pictured are Saddam's daughters Hala (sitting), Rana (third left), and Raghad (center). Pictured are also his sons Uday (far right) and Qussay (second left).
Saddam Hussein's sons Uday (L) and Qusay (R), who worked with their father, were killed by US troops in Mosul in 2003.
The vice president of Equatorial Guinea followed in his namesake father's footsteps. Teodoro, aka Teodorin, is know for his extravagant lifestyle, but despite the numerous charges and sanctions against him, he still remains in power.
Mobutu Sese Seko, the former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, had at least seven children.
Pictured is one of his sons, Congolese politician Nzanga Mobutu.
Sources: (History Collection) (BBC) (Reuters)
See more: Dictator deaths: infamous tyrants who were executed
The lives of children raised by authoritarian rulers
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LIFESTYLE Authoritarian regimes
History is tainted with ruthless rulers, but despite the atrocities many of these leaders committed, they also had families. Indeed, many infamous dictators, despots, and all types of authoritarian leaders had sons and daughters. Some of whom, actually, took advantage of their position and followed in their parents' footsteps. Yet several others went in completely opposite directions.
In this gallery, we bring you the children of history's most infamous dictators and their stories. Click on to find out who they are.