Rodrigo Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, in the Philippines. His father, Vicente Duterte, was a lawyer, while his mother, Soledad Duterte, was a civic leader. Duterte grew up in a middle-class family in the city of Davao.
He completed his bachelor's degree from the Lyceum of the Philippines University in 1968. Four years later, in 1972, he obtained his law degree from San Beda College of Law. Duterte's education laid the foundation for his future career in politics and law.
Duterte's political career began when he served as mayor of Davao City for more than two decades, spanning seven terms. As the mayor, he implemented strict and controversial law and order policies against criminals, earning him the nickname "The Punisher." His tough stance on crime made Davao City one of the safest cities in the world.
In 2016, Duterte ran for the presidency of the Philippines and won, becoming the country's 16th President. His presidency has been marked by a continuation of his tough stance on crime and his controversial rhetoric.
Duterte has been married twice. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Zimmerman, with whom he had three children. After their divorce, he had a daughter with his girlfriend, Cielito Avanceña. One of his daughters, Sara Duterte, followed in her father's footsteps and became a politician.
In April 2014, Duterte declined the nomination for the World Mayor Prize. Despite his controversial policies, Davao City was ranked as the fourth safest city in the world in June 2015.
President Benigno Aquino III offered Duterte the position of Interior Secretary, which he turned down. Duterte's refusal to join Aquino's administration signaled the beginning of his own presidential aspirations.
Overall, Rodrigo Duterte's presidency has been marked by both achievement and controversy, shaping the political landscape of the Philippines for years to come.