Froyla Tzalam | |
|---|---|
 Tzalam in 2022 | |
| 3rdGovernor-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 (nowBelize) |
| Spouse | Daniel Mendez[1] |
| Children | 2[2] |
| Alma mater | Trinity University (BA) University of Sussex (MA) |
Dame Froyla TzalamGCMG is aBelizeanMopan Mayaanthropologist andcommunity leader, who has served as the thirdgovernor-general of Belize since 27 May 2021.
She is the first indigenous person ofMaya descent to serve as governor-general of any country in the history of theCommonwealth of Nations.[3][4]
Tzalam is from the village ofSan Antonio, Toledo. She graduated with aBA degree inAnthropology fromTrinity University, Texas. This was followed by aMA degree inRural Development fromUniversity of Sussex.[5]
She was the executive director of theSarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM).[6]
Tzalam was shortlisted for nomination to theSenate in January 2017, but declined in order to concentrate on her work with SATIIM.[7]
| Viceregal styles of Dame Froyla Tzalam (2021–present) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | Her Excellency |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
It was announced on 22 April 2021 byPrime Minister of BelizeJohn Briceno that she was nominated to be the next Governor-General of Belize following the retirement of SirColville Young.[8] She is the third Governor-General and the second woman appointed to the role.
On 21 March 2022, she was invested as aDame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George byPrince William, Duke of Cambridge on behalf ofElizabeth II,Queen of Belize, during the Platinum Jubileeroyal 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]
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Upon thedeath 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 MinisterFrancis Fonseca she represented Belize at theCoronation of King Charles III in 2023.[15]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Governor-General of Belize 2021–present | Incumbent |
| International | |
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| National | |
