Froyla Tzalam | |
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![]() Tzalam in 2022 | |
3rd Governor-General of Belize | |
Assumed office 27 May 2021 | |
Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
Prime Minister | Johnny Briceño |
Preceded by | Sir Colville Young |
Personal details | |
Born | San Antonio,Toledo,British Honduras (now Belize) |
Spouse | Daniel Mendez [1] |
Children | 2 [2] |
Alma mater | Trinity University (BA) University of Sussex (MA) |
Dame Froyla Tzalam GCMG is a Belizean Mopan Maya anthropologist and community leader,who has served as the third governor-general of Belize since 27 May 2021.
She is the first indigenous person of Maya descent to serve as governor-general of any country in the history of the Commonwealth of Nations. [3] [4]
Tzalam is from the village of San Antonio,Toledo. She graduated with a BA degree in Anthropology from Trinity University,Texas. This was followed by a MA degree in Rural Development from University of Sussex. [5]
She was the executive director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM). [6]
Tzalam was shortlisted for nomination to the Senate in January 2017,but declined in order to concentrate on her work with SATIIM. [7]
Viceregal styles of Dame Froyla Tzalam (2021–present) | |
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Reference style | Her Excellency |
Spoken style | Your Excellency |
It was announced on 22 April 2021 by Prime Minister of Belize John Briceno that she was nominated to be the next Governor-General of Belize following the retirement of Sir Colville Young. [8] She is the third Governor-General and the second woman appointed to the role.
On 21 March 2022,she was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by Prince William,Duke of Cambridge,on behalf of Elizabeth II,Queen of Belize,during the Platinum Jubilee royal tour of Belize. [9] [10] [11] In June 2022,she travelled to the United Kingdom to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities in London. [12]
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022,Tzalam became the first governor-general of Belize to have served under two monarchs. She said that the Queen "was a much loved and respected figure across the globe",who "was known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service". [13] Tzalam also represented Belize at the Queen's state funeral in the United Kingdom. [14] Alongside Minister Francis Fonseca she represented Belize at the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023. [15]