BORN September 20, 1952, Mr Zelaya's father was a cattle ranch owner in Olancho, and Mr Zelaya has retained his love of the rural outdoors and of horses as well.

He was head of the Honduras wood industries association and director of the Honduran Private Enterprise Council. He also ran a bank and other businesses.

Married to Xiomara Castro, the couple have four children. He is also known for his love of playing guitar.

His wife said on Sunday that Honduras was living 'the saddest hours in its history.' She told the Venezuelan television station Telesur by telephone that she and her sons were in a house outside the Honduran capital and were doing alright.

In the 1998-2002 government of president Carlos Flores, Mr Zelaya was social investment minister and was given the tough task of matching foreign aid with government assistance after Hurricane Mitch devastated the small country.

He tried to get the public involved in decision-making through local citizens' assemblies that set out their priorities for reconstruction work.

During his 2005 election campaign he promised Hondurans would have 'safe streets, protected homes, a quiet life' as well as a war on unemployment.

'We cannot tolerate 40 per cent of the population without work,' he said, promising to create 100,000 jobs a year in industry, tourism, mines and small firms.

Mr Zelaya also said he would negotiate with the main farm producers in the country to set up guaranteed food supplies for the poor. -- AFP