Ranavolona I (aka Ranavolona the Cruel)

The Bloodiest Queen in Human History

Ranavolona I was not a woman who happened into her role—she ordained it herself. She fought for her position as Queen of Madagascar, and once she had it, she would do whatever it took to maintain her power. Her reign is largely defined by her fight against colonization and Christianity, which ultimately cut the population of Madagascar in half… from 5M people to 2.5M.