# Froyla Tzalam

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Governor-General of Belize since 2021

Her Excellency Dame Froyla Tzalam GCMG Tzalam in 2022 3rd Governor-General of Belize Incumbent Assumed office 27 May 2021 Monarchs Elizabeth II Charles III Prime Minister Johnny Briceño Preceded by Sir Colville Young Personal details Born (1971-07-27) July 27, 1971 (age 54) San Antonio, British Honduras (now Belize) Party Independent Spouse Daniel Mendez[1] Children 2[2] Alma mater Trinity University (BA) University of Sussex (MA)

**Dame Froyla Tzalam** [GCMG](/source/Knight_Grand_Cross_of_the_Order_of_St_Michael_and_St_George) (Born July 27, 1971) is a [Belizean](/source/Belizean_people) [Mopan Maya](/source/Mopan_people) [anthropologist](/source/Anthropologist) and [community leader](/source/Community_Leader), who has served as the third [governor-general of Belize](/source/Governor-general_of_Belize) since 27 May 2021.

She is the first indigenous person of [Maya](/source/Maya_peoples) descent to serve as governor-general of any country in the history of the [Commonwealth of Nations](/source/Commonwealth_of_Nations).[3][4]

## Education

Tzalam is from the village of [San Antonio, Toledo](/source/San_Antonio%2C_Toledo). She graduated with a [BA](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree in [Anthropology](/source/Anthropology) from [Trinity University, Texas](/source/Trinity_University_(Texas)). This was followed by a [MA](/source/Master_of_Arts) degree in [Rural Development](/source/Rural_Development) from [University of Sussex](/source/University_of_Sussex).[5]

## Career

She was Director of the African-Maya History Program in the Belize Ministry for Education and then Director of the Belize Institute of Social and Cultural Research. She became the executive director of the [Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management](/source/Sarstoon_Temash_Institute_for_Indigenous_Management) (SATIIM) in 2014.[6][7]

Tzalam was shortlisted for nomination to the [Senate](/source/Senate_of_Belize) in January 2017, but declined in order to concentrate on her work with SATIIM.[8]

## Governor-General of Belize

Viceregal styles of Dame Froyla Tzalam (2021–present) Reference style Her Excellency Spoken style Your Excellency

Dame Froyla meeting Dame [Cindy Kiro](/source/Cindy_Kiro), Governor-General of New Zealand, in London, 2022

It was announced on 22 April 2021 by [Prime Minister of Belize](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Belize) [John Briceno](/source/John_Briceno) that she was nominated to be the next Governor-General of Belize following the retirement of Sir [Colville Young](/source/Colville_Young).[9] 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](/source/Dame_Grand_Cross_of_the_Order_of_St_Michael_and_St_George) by [Prince William, Duke of Cambridge](/source/Prince_William%2C_Duke_of_Cambridge), on behalf of [Elizabeth II](/source/Elizabeth_II), [Queen of Belize](/source/Queen_of_Belize), during the Platinum Jubilee [royal tour](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_official_overseas_trips_made_by_the_Duke_and_Duchess_of_Cambridge&action=edit&redlink=1) of Belize.[10][11][12] In June 2022, she travelled to the United Kingdom to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities in London.[13]

Tzalam with the Duchess of Gloucester and the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace during her visit for the [coronation of King Charles III](/source/Coronation_of_King_Charles_III), 2022

Upon the [death of Queen Elizabeth II](/source/Death_and_state_funeral_of_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".[14] Tzalam also represented Belize at the Queen's state funeral in the United Kingdom.[15] Alongside Minister [Francis Fonseca](/source/Francis_Fonseca) she represented Belize at the [Coronation of King Charles III](/source/Coronation_of_King_Charles_III) in 2023.[16]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Prime Minister John Briceño Independence Day Address 2021"](https://belize.com/news/prime-minister-john-briceno-independence-day-address-2021/). 21 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Heartiest congratulations to Her Excellency Froyla Tzalam on her appointment as Governor General !! Ms. Tzalam is a woman of substance, of keen intellect, and of deep and abiding commitment to Belize and all our people. She will surely do us proud in executing her duties as our country's highest official. We wish her, her husband Daniel Mendez, and her lovely children Yasil and Yanil all of God's richest blessings today... - Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples' Affairs"](https://www.facebook.com/MHDFIPA/posts/heartiest-congratulations-to-her-excellency-froyla-tzalam-on-her-appointment-as-/1645879845801660/). Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Facebook.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["First Woman of Maya Descent Elected as Governor - General in the Commonwealth"](https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2021/05/31/first-woman-of-maya-descent-elected-as-governor-general-in-the-commonwealth/). 31 May 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Congratulatory Outpouring for GG Froyla T'zalam"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230417212556/https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/219266). Channel 5 Belize. Archived from [the original](https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/219266) on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["froyla tzalam"](https://namati.org/network/member/froylatzalam/). *Namati*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["SATIIM Congratulates Froyla Tz'alam as Belize's First Mopan Governor General"](https://www.facebook.com/SATIIMBelize/photos/satiim-congratulates-froyla-tzalam-as-belizes-first-mopan-governor-generalpunta-/2551221498519188/). Retrieved 1 December 2025 – via Facebook.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Staff & Board of Directors"](https://www.satiim.org.bz/staff-board-of-directors/). SATIIM.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["SATIIM's Froyla Tzalam Explains Decision to Decline Nomination"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210424091221/https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/140447). Channel 5 Belize. 6 January 2017. Archived from [the original](https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/140447) on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["PM Confirms Nomination of Froyla Tzalam as the next Governor General"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210423114705/https://lovefm.com/pm-confirms-nomination-of-froyla-tzalam-as-the-next-governor-general/). *lovefm.com*. 22 April 2021. Archived from [the original](https://lovefm.com/pm-confirms-nomination-of-froyla-tzalam-as-the-next-governor-general/) on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Court circular: March 21, 2022"](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/court-circular-march-21-2022-25ltkz867). *The Times*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Governor General Froyla T'zalam Bestowed Title of Dame"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220611215504/https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/232374). Channel 5 Belize. Archived from [the original](https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/232374) on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** @royalinstablog (23 March 2022). ["Investiture Ceremony"](https://twitter.com/royalinstablog/status/1506553666983153673) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["GG attends the Queen's Platinum Jubilee"](https://amandala.com.bz/news/gg-attends-the-queens-platinum-jubilee/). *Amandala Newspaper*. 4 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam issues statement following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II; Flags to be flown at half-mast"](https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2022/09/08/governor-general-dame-froyla-tzalam-issues-statement-following-the-passing-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-flags-to-be-flown-at-half-mast-2/). *Breaking Belize News*. 8 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["GG Froyla Tzalam to Attend The Queen's Funeral"](https://lovefm.com/gg-froyla-tzalam-to-attend-the-queens-funeral/). *LoveFM*. 9 September 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220912204022/https://lovefm.com/gg-froyla-tzalam-to-attend-the-queens-funeral/) from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Principal Attendance at the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Saturday 6th May 2023"](https://www.coronationroll.gov.uk/principle-attendance/). *The Coronation Roll*. [Government of the United Kingdom](/source/Government_of_the_United_Kingdom). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240505141935/https://www.coronationroll.gov.uk/principle-attendance/) from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.

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Government offices Preceded by Sir Colville Young Governor-General of Belize 2021–present Incumbent

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