Benevolent Dictator For Life (BDFL) is a title given to a small number of leaders, typically project founders who retain the final say in disputes or arguments within the community.

The phrase originated in 1995 with reference to , creator of the . Shortly after van Rossum joined the , the term appeared in a follow-up mail by to a meeting trying to create a semi-formal group that would oversee Python development and workshops; this initial use included the additional joke of naming van Rossum the "First Interim BDFL".

BDFL should not be confused with the more common term for open-source leaders, "", which was popularized by 's essay "" (1999). Among other topics related to , Raymond elaborates on how the nature of open source forces the "dictatorship" to keep itself , since a strong disagreement can lead to the of the project under the rule of new leaders.