Teacher, Rebel, Spy, First Lady

Kirsty Sword Gusmão, alias, Ruby Blade

Incredible Journey

Over the course of a decade starting in 1992, Australian Kirsty Sword underwent a remarkable transformation, from mild-mannered teacher, to political activist, to spy for a band of guerillas waging war against a military occupation. By 2002, she was the first lady of the world's youngest nation -- Southeast Asia's Timor-Leste, or East Timor, which celebrates its ninth year of independence on May 20, 2011. Sword Gusmão, as she is now known, recently spoke with LIFE.com and -- through a series of photos, many of them personal and never-before-published -- told her own story and that of the birth of her adopted home.

DAQUI: http://www.life.com/gallery/51911/image/79764786/teacher-rebel-spy-first-lady#index/0