Muhammad VIII al-Amin

Muhammad VIII
Bey of Tunisia
Reign 15 May 1943 - 25 July 1957
Predecessor Muhammad VII
Successor Husain Bey
as Pretender 30 September 1962
Full name
Muhammad al-Amin
Name in Arabic الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب
Dynasty Husainid Dynasty
Father Muhammad VI al-Habib
Born September 4, 1881
Died September 30, 1962 (aged 81)
Tunis, Tunis Governorate
Tunisia
Religion Sunni Islam

Muhammad VIII al-Amin (4 September 1881 – 30 September 1962) (Arabic: الأمين باي بن محمد الحبيب, al-ʾAmīn Bāy bin Muḥammad al-Ḥabīb) was the last bey of Tunisia (15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956). He was the first head of state (as king or bey) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957. He was the son of Muhammad VI al-Habib, bey of Tunis.

Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces deposed his cousin Muhammad VII al-Munsif on the accusation that he was a Vichy collaborator. He proclaimed the independence of Tunisia on 20 March 1956 and became King of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba, who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone lines to the palace were cut and the king put under house arrest 15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.

Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence at La Manouba, but was permitted to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis and was buried at the Tomb of King Muhammad al-Amin. Muhammad was succeeded as head of the Husainid Dynasty and heir to the throne and titular king by Husain Bey.

Bibliography

Preceded by
Muhammad VII al-Munsif
Bey of Tunis
19431956
Succeeded by
Himself as King of Tunisia
Preceded by
Himself as Bey of Tunis
King of Tunisia
19561957
Succeeded by
Post abolished