Mexico's Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa

Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa became president on December 1, 2006, replacing Vicente Fox, who held the position since 2000. Calderón was president of the National Action Party's (PAN) youth movement in his early twenties. He served as a local representative in the legislative assembly in the federal chamber of deputies. In 1995 he ran for governor of Michaocán. He served as secretary of energy from 2003 to 2004. He was born in Morelia, Mexico, on August 18, 1962. He received his bachelor's degree in law from Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City and a master's degree in economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México as well as a master's in public administration from Harvard University. He is married to Margarita Zavala.

Russia's Dmitry Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev became president on May 7, 2008, replacing Vladmir Putin, whose term in office had expired. Before entering politics, he worked as a legal expert and a lawyer. He was officially endorsed as a candidate for the presidency on December 17, 2007, by Russia's largest political party, United Russia, and by then Putin as well. He served as deputy prime minister of Russia from 2005 to 2008. He was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) on September 14, 1965. He earned a degree in law in 1987 and a PhD in private law in 1990 from Leningrad State University. He is married to Svetlana Medvedeva.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Saud

King Abdullahbin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has been in power since August 1, 2005. He replaced Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who had reigned since June 1982. Crown prince since 1987, he had previously acted as de facto regent and thus ruler of Saudi Arabia since January 1, 1996, when Fahd was debilitated by a stroke. He was formally enthroned on August 3, 2005. He also serves as prime minister of Saudi Arabia and commander of the National Guard. Abdullah is chair of the supreme economic council, president of the high council for petroleum and minerals, president of the King Abdulaziz centre for national dialogue, chair of the council of civil service and head of the military service council. He was born August 1, 1924, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has a number of wives.

South Africa's Petrus Kgalema Motlanthe

Petrus Kgalema Motlanthe became president on September 25, 2008, after the resignation of Thabo Mbeki, who had held the position since 1999. In the 1970s Motlanthe worked for Johannesburg's city council and served as secretary general of the National Union of Mineworkers. He became secretary general of the African ationalCongress in 1997 and elected deputy president in December 2007. He became a member of parliament in May 2008 and in July was appointed to cabinet without a portfolio. He was born on July 19, 1949, in Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is married.