Ariel Sharon (help·info) (Hebrew: אריאל שרון, also known by his iminutive Arik אַריק) (born Ariel Scheinermann (אריאל שיינרמן) on February 27, 1928) is a former Israeli Prime Minister and military leader. Sharon served as Prime Minister from March 2001 until April 2006, though the powers of his office were exercised by acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert following Sharon's massive stroke on January 4, 2006. At that time, Sharon fell into a coma; as of June 2008, he is in a persistent vegetative state.