Slobodan Milošević

Yugoslav–Serbian politician

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Lived 1941–2006, aged 65

PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
87 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1941–2006
Aged 65
Known for
The Troubles We've Seen
1994

Summary

Updated 2026-08-30

He held the Yugoslav presidency during the wars that tore the federation apart in the 1990s, then became the first sitting head of state charged with war crimes. The trial at The Hague never finished — he died in his cell in 2006 while conducting his own defence.

Biography

About

Born in Požarevac in 1941, Slobodan Milošević studied law at the University of Belgrade and rose through Yugoslav communist structures in the 1960s and 70s as protégé of Serbian leader Ivan Stambolić, whom he ousted in 1987. He became president of Serbia in 1989, led the anti-bureaucratic revolution, reduced the power of autonomous provinces, and transitioned the state into a multi-party system while his Socialist Party retained control over economic resources. His presidency saw mass anti-government protests, hundreds of thousands deserting the army, and mass emigration. During the NATO bombi…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Slobodan Milošević

Slobodan Milošević

said2004

This is a political trial. What is at issue here is not at all whether I committed a crime.

— International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (2004)

Slobodan Milošević

said2002

By adding three lies, one does not get the truth — only a bigger lie.

— International Committee to Defend Slobodan Milosevic (2002)

Slobodan Milošević

said2002

Well, I want him to answer the following question: Where in my speech was there any reference to anything that would jeopardise the rights of Albanians?

— International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (2002)

Slobodan Milošević

saidNov 1995

I tell you, Izetbegović has earned Sarajevo by not abandoning it. He's one tough guy. It's his.

— Remark at the Dayton Conference (November 1995), quoted in Richard Holbrooke, To End a War, p. 291

Slobodan Milošević

said16 Mar 1991

Borders are always dictated by the strong, never by the weak.… We simply consider it as a legitimate right and interest of the Serb nation to live in one state.

— Remarks at a meeting with Serb leaders (16 March 1991), as quoted in Doder and Branson (1999) Milosevic: Portrait of a Tyrant

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