Tenagneworq (1913–2003)

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Tenagneworq (1913–2003)

Ethiopian princess. Name variations: Tenagne Worq. Born Jan 29, 1912 at Harar, Abyssinia; died April 6, 2003, in Addis Ababa; eldest dau. of Empress Menen (1899–1962) and Ras Tafari, later known as Haile Selassie I (1892–1975), emperor of Ethiopia (r. 1930–1974); m. Ras Desta Bamtaw, 1924 (killed in Italo-Ethiopian War, 1936); m. Ras Andargathcew Massai, 1944; children: (1st m.) sons Amha (died in adolescence) and Alexander (as commander of the Imperial Ethiopian Navy, was shot by revolutionaries, Nov 1974); daughters Aida, Ruth, Seble and Sofya.

Said to be strong in adversity, was an influence on her father; after the revolution (1974), was incarcerated with daughters in Akaki Prison without trial (1974–89), living in cramped, fetid cells for years.