| Border: | imperial |
| Royal Title: | Emperor |
| Realm: | Central Africa |
| Native Name: | Empereur de Centrafrique |
| Coatofarms: | Imperial Coat of arms of Central Africa (1976–1979).svg |
| Coatofarmscaption: | Imperial coat of arms |
| Type: | other1 |
| His/Her: | His |
| Formation: | 4 December 1976 |
| Abolition: | 21 September 1979 |
| Residence: | Renaissance Palace, Bangui |
Emperor of Central Africa (fr|Empereur de Centrafrique) was the title used by Jean-Bédel Bokassa from 4 December 1976, who was crowned on 4 December 1977 in a lavish ceremony that was estimated to cost the Central African Empire US$20 million (equivalent to $ million in). Although nominally a constitutional monarch, in practice Bokassa ruled with absolute power. For all intents and purposes, the country was still a military dictatorship, as had been the case with the Central African Republic since Bokassa took power in the 1966 coup d'état.
Bokassa I attempted to justify his actions by claiming that creating a monarchy would help Central Africa "stand out" from the rest of the continent, and earn the world's respect. The coronation consumed one third of the nation's annual budget and all of the French aid that year, but despite generous invitations, no foreign leaders attended the event. Many thought Bokassa was insane, and compared his egotistical extravagance with his contemporary – Africa's other well-known eccentric dictator, President of Uganda Idi Amin.
| Portrait | Name | Reign start | Reign end | Duration | Prime Minister | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor of Central Africa (1976–1979) | |||||||
| 1 | Bokassa I | 4 December 1976 | 21 September 1979 | Patassé | He is the first emperor of central Africa from December 4, 1976, and deposed on September 21, 1979. | ||
| Maïdou | |||||||
| Head of the House of Bokassa (1979–present) | |||||||
| 1 | Bokassa I | 21 September 1979 | 3 November 1996 | Vacant, since the monarchy was abolished in 1979. | Deposed on September 21, 1979, he became the Head of the House of Bokassa until his death on November 3, 1996. | ||
| 2 | Bokassa II | 3 November 1996 | Present | After his father died on November 3, 1996, he became the Head of the House of Bokassa from November 3, 1996. | |||
The House of Bokassa is an African former ruling imperial dynasty. The foundation of the House of Bokassa began in March 1972, when Jean-Bédel Bokassa proclaimed himself marshal and president-for-life of the Central African Republic. Public dissent continually grew over the next few years, surviving a coup attempt in December 1974, and narrowly escaped assassination in February 1976. International support was waning during this period as well, so in response Bokassa dissolved the republican government and established the Central African Revolutionary Council in September 1976.
On 4 December 1976, Bokassa instituted a new constitution, naming himself Emperor of the Central African Empire and his son, Jean-Bédel Bokassa II, was declared crown prince and heir to the throne. The emperor's sixth wife—Bokassa maintained a harem of 19 women despite converting to Catholicism. His wife Catherine Denguiadé, became the Empress of Central Africa.[1]
Neither the United States nor any European country acknowledged or supported the newly founded monarchy, with the exception of France, whose president, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, held close ties to Bokassa.[2] By 1979, France had withdrawn its support as well. Pope Paul VI refused to take part in the coronation ceremony.
Bokassa I had 40 children by his 19 wives. Notable among these are:
Of his grandchildren, those notable include:
Bokassa also adopted several children, three of which were Africans. One of these, however, was born in Vietnam as Martine Nguyễn Thị Bái and became Martine Bokassa upon her adoption.