Career
Following his father's decision to become "Emperor", Jean-Bédel was named, at the age of 4, as heir apparent with the title of Crown Prince (prince héritier de Centrafrique). He was chosen despite having several older brothers and half-brothers. Bokassa I's eldest son by another wife, Georges, was a cabinet minister but Bokassa considered him weak.
Jean-Bédel was included in Bokassa I's lavish coronation of 4 December 1977, which Pope Paul VI refused to attend.