Roméo Antonius Dallaire Biography: Books, Education, Movies, TV Shows, Age, Spouse, Net Worth

Roméo Dallaire is a prominent Canadian military leader, humanitarian, and author, best known for his role as the Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide.

His leadership during this tragic period highlighted the challenges of international peacekeeping and the moral obligations of nations to protect vulnerable populations.

Dallaire’s experiences in Rwanda profoundly impacted his life, leading him to become a passionate advocate for human rights, particularly focusing on child soldiers and veterans’ mental health.

Profile

• Full name: Roméo Antonius Dallaire
• Date of birth: June 25, 1946
• Age: 79 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Denekamp, Netherlands
• Nationality: Canadian
• Profession: Military Officer, Author, Humanitarian
• Height: 1.82 m
• Parents: Roméo Louis Dallaire and Catherine Vermeassen
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Marie-Claude Michaud
• Children: Willem Dallaire, Catherine Dallaire, and Guy Dallaire
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: N/A
• Net Worth: $200k

Early Life and Education

Roméo Dallaire is now at the age of 79. He was born on June 25, 1946, in Denekamp, Netherlands. As the son of a Canadian soldier and a Dutch mother, he immigrated to Canada as an infant.

Raised in Montreal, he attended local schools before enlisting in the Canadian Forces at age 14. Dallaire later attended the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969.

His military career began shortly after graduation when he joined the Canadian Army as an artillery officer. Over the years, he held various command positions in Canada and internationally, gaining valuable experience that would later shape his approach to leadership and humanitarian efforts.

Personal Life

In 1976, Dallaire married Elizabeth Roberge. Together, they had three children: Willem, Catherine, and Guy. After 43 years of marriage, Dallaire and Roberge divorced in 2019.

Later in 2019, Dallaire married Marie-Claude Michaud. Michaud, the former executive director of the Valcartier Military Family Resource Centre, has been a supportive partner in Dallaire’s life, aiding in his healing from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injuries stemming from his military service.

Dallaire’s openness about his struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has helped destigmatize mental health issues among veterans. He has been an advocate for better mental health support for military personnel and their families.

Career

Dallaire’s military career began with his enlistment in 1964. He served in various capacities before being appointed as Force Commander of UNAMIR during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. His mission faced severe limitations due to lack of resources and political will from member states to intervene effectively.

Following his retirement from the military in 2000 due to health issues related to PTSD, he transitioned into advocacy work. He founded the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative to combat the use of child soldiers globally. Additionally, he served as a Canadian Senator from 2005 to 2014, where he worked on veterans’ issues and human rights initiatives.

Awards

Roméo Dallaire has received numerous accolades for his service and advocacy:

• Officer of the Order of Canada
• Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec
• Commander of the Order of Military Merit
• Meritorious Service Cross
• United States Legion of Merit
• Pearson Peace Medal from the United Nations Association of Canada
• Harvard University Humanist Award

Net Worth

Roméo Dallaire’s net worth is estimated at $200k; however, he has earned income through military service, authorship, and speaking engagements related to his advocacy work.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire (2004)
• Shake Hands with the Devil (2007)

Books

• Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda
• Waiting for First Light: My Ongoing Battle with PTSD
• They Fight Like Soldiers; They Die Like Children: The Global Quest to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers