<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>d01298exv99w1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<TEXT>
<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
              OF CITIZENS, INC. PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


          I, Rick D. Riley, certify that:

          In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Citizens, Inc
(the "Company") for the period ended September 30, 2002 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Rick D.
Riley, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that:

          1.   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
               or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

          2.   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
               material respects, the financial condition and results of
               operations of the Company.


                                            /s/ Rick D. Riley
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name:  Rick D. Riley
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                            Date:  November 13, 2002




</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
