Sylvanus Olympio | |
|---|---|
 Olympio in 1961 | |
| 1st President of Togo | |
| In office 12 April 1961 – 13 January 1963 | |
| Prime Minister | None |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Emmanuel Bodjollé |
| 1st Prime Minister of Togo | |
| In office 27 April 1960 – 12 April 1961 | |
| President | None |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Kokou Koffigoh (1991) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sylvanus Épiphanio Olympio 6 September 1902 Kpandu, Togoland |
| Died | 13 January 1963 (aged 60) Lomé, Togo |
| Manner of death | Assassination |
| Political party | Party of Togolese Unity |
| Spouse | Dina Grunitzky (1903–1964) |
| Relations | Octaviano Olympio (uncle) Chico Olympio (uncle) Harry Olympio (nephew) Nicolas Grunitzky (brother-in-law) |
| Children | Gilchrist Olympio |
| Parent(s) | Epiphanio Elpidio Olympio Fidélia Afé Nanaga |
Sylvanus Épiphanio Olympio (French pronunciation: [silvany epifanjo ɔlɛ̃pjo]; 6 September 1902 – 13 January 1963) was a Togolese politician who served as prime minister, and then president, of Togo from 1958 until his assassination in 1963. He came from the important Olympio family, which included his uncle Octaviano Olympio, one of the richest people in Togo in the early 1900s.
After graduating from the London School of Economics, he worked for Unilever and became the general manager of the African operations of that company. After World War II, Olympio became prominent in efforts for independence of Togo and his party won the 1958 election, making him the prime minister of the country. His power was further cemented when Togo achieved independence and he won the 1961 election, making him the first president of Togo. He was assassinated during the 1963 Togolese coup d'état.