Ronnie Brunswijk

About

Politician known for being a rebel leader and personal bodyguard to Dési Bouterse, who overthrew the government of Suriname in the 1980s. He then became Vice President of Suriname in 2020 after winning an uncontested election. 

Before Fame

He joined the Surinamese Liberation Army, also known as Jungle Commando, in 1984 when he was 18. He quickly became a rebel leader, and in 1986 robbed a bank which earned him the nickname "Robin Hood of Suriname."

Trivia

The Netherlands prosecuted him in absentia on the charges of drug smuggling. He is the owner of Inter Moengotapoe, a professional soccer team in Suriname. In 2021, he played in one of their games, making him the world's oldest professional soccer player.

Family Life

He is a Maroon, which is the name given to the descendants who fled Dutch colonialist forced labor plantations. According to a report in The New York Times, he has at least 50 children. 

Associated With

His cousin is Dutch-Surinamese comedian Steven Brunswijk.