Nelson Mandela’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What was Nelson Mandela’s Net Worth?Nelson Mandela was a South African political activist, anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death in December of 2013. Nelson Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.? Compare Nelson Mandela’s Net WorthWealth DetailsThe majority of Mandela’s net worth came in the form of book royalties from his best selling autobiography, 1994’s “Long Walk to Freedom”. When his health was better, Nelson was also a semi-active public speaker. When he was President, Mandela slashed his salary and then on top of that still gave 1/3 of his pay to South African children’s charities.Towards the end of his life, Mandela’s family waged a fairly bitter war over his wealth. Nelson was married three times and had six children (only three of whom were still living at his death). Nelson placed the majority of his wealth into more than a dozen different trust funds that would simultaneously benefit his children and prevent them from further bickering. Because of these trusts, Nelson himself was not an extraordinarily wealthy man at the time of his death. A long time friend and lawyer named George Bizos declared in April 2013:”If anyone suggests he’s a multi-millionaire, they’re wrong. He’s not a rich man. He has a couple of trusts for his children and grandchildren. His earnings are technically nil, other than the goodwill of people inside and outside South Africa who helped with the education of the children. He has always insisted that money donated should be used for building schools and hospitals”. Early LifeNelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18th, 1918 in the town of Mvezo in Umtata, which was part of South Africa’s Cape Province. His middle name means “troublemaker” in his native Xhosa language. His paternal great grandfather was king of the Thembu people who lived in what is currently South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. His father was a local chief and councilor to the monarch. He was a polygamist and had four wives, four sons, and eight daughters. Mandela’s mother was his third wife, and he grew up in the village of Qunu with his two sisters.When he was seven, his mother sent him to a nearby Methodist school, and it was there that he was given the English name of “Nelson.” His father passed away from what was thought to be lung disease when he was nine years old. After his father’s death, his mother sent him to live at a palace in Mqhekezweni, and he placed under the guardianship of a Chief and his wife. He became a devout Christian and attended another Methodist school.When he was fifteen, he began his secondary education at Clarkebury Methodist High School, which was one of the largest Western-styled institutions for Africans in the Eastern Cape Province. In 1939, he went to the University of Fort Hare to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree, and he studied English, anthropology, politics, and native administration. He was active in the school community, taking up ballroom dancing, performing in the drama society’s productions, and teaching Bible studies. He was suspended from the university after participating in a boycott over the poor quality of food and did not return to finish his degree. Instead, he moved to Johannesburg and enrolled at the University of South Africa in order to finish his education. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree, he decided to pursue a career in law.Legal Studies and Early ActivismMandela enrolled at University of the Witwatersrand to pursue his law degree, and as the only black student, he was a frequent target of racism. Around this time, he began to believe that South Africans should have the right to political self-determination. By 1948, he was actively supporting anti-apartheid measures through boycotts and strikes. His involvement in politics and activism distracted from his studies, and he did not receive a law degree. In 1950, he became president of the African National Congress (ANC) and was also elected president of the ANCYL. While he had previously been opposed to communism, his attraction to it grew after reading the literature of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. In 1952, he got a job at the H.M. Basner law firm, and he along with other anti-apartheid activists started to prepare for their Defiance Campaign against Unjust Laws. The campaign was intended to follow a path of peaceful resistance and was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. In the summer of 1952, he was arrested and convicted of statutory communism, which was a charge often brought against anti-apartheid figures. He received a sentence of nine months of hard labor, which was suspended for two years. The next year, he obtained his law degree and opened the nation’s only African-run law firm.Resistance and Treason TrialIn the beginning of 1955, Mandela realized that the path of peaceful resistance would not be successful in ending apartheid. With the collaboration of other African nationalist and anti-apartheid groups, he helped draw up a Freedom Charter, which demanded a democratically run, non-racialist government. In 1956, he was officially accused of high treason against the state, and his trial began in August of 1958. He and the other defendants successfully filed a motion to have the three judges presiding over the case replaced, and following their replacement, the charges were amended to accuse ANC leadership of treason by advocating for revolution. His treason trial was resolved in March of 1961 with a verdict of not guilty. Soon after, he organized with nationalist groups to engage in sabotage of key infrastructural elements in the country with the goal being to pressure the government, not to harm individuals.Prison to PresidencyIn August of 1952, Mandela was arrested and charged with inciting strikes and leaving the country without permission. He was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. In July of 1953, he and other activists were charged with sabotage and conspiracy to violently overthrow the government. They used the trial to highlight their cause, and Mandela gave his famous “I Am Prepared to Die” speech during the trial. The defendants were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Mandela spent eighteen years at a prison on Robben Island beginning in 1964. The conditions were initially very poor, and he was allowed few visitors. He was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town in 1982, and two years later he was offered to be released on the condition that he vow to never use violence as a political weapon. He refused the offer and was released in 1990 with no conditions. Mandela continued to fight to end apartheid, and although there was civil unrest resulting in casualties, he was elected President of South Africa in 1994 and successfully transitioned the nation away from apartheid minority rule and into a democracy.Personal LifeMandela retired from politics in 1999 but continued his philanthropic activities. He earned much of his wealth from the royalties from his 1994 autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom.” Hw was married three times. He married Evelyn Mase in 1944, and they had three children before divorcing in 1954. He then married Winnie Mandela in 1958, and they had two children and separated in 1999. His final marriage was to Graáa Mache in late 1998. Mandela died on December 5th, 2013. He is buried in Qunu in the Eastern Cape Province.
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Cindy McCain’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What is Cindy McCain’s Net Worth and Family Wealth?Cindy McCain is an American businesswoman and philanthropist who has a net worth of $400 million. This impressive number is largely the result of her family business, Hensley & Co.Cindy inherited majority ownership of the beer distribution company in 2000. She currently serves as the chairwoman. That being said, McCain is probably best known for being the widow of the long-serving senator and one-time Presidential candidate, John McCain.After becoming a special education teacher, she married John McCain in 1980. She then became closely involved with her husband’s political career, and today she has close ties with various charity organizations. In addition, Cindy is the mother of well-known talk show host Meghan McCain.? Compare Cindy McCain’s Net WorthHensley & Co. OwnershipIn 2000, McCain inherited majority control of Hensley & Co. and became chair of the company after her father passed away. The company rakes in more than $400 million per year in revenue and employs over 1,200 people. Hensley is also the third-largest Anheuser-Busch distributor in the United States and one of the largest privately-owned companies in Arizona.Early LifeCindy Lou Hensley was born on May 20th of 1954 in Phoenix, Arizona. Raised by Hensley & Co. founder James Hensley and Marguerite Hensley as an only child, Cindy grew up in an extremely affluent family. After graduating from high school, Cindy attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in education by 1976. She then continued her studies and obtained a Master of Arts degree in special education by 1978. Although she was offered a role in the family business, she declined and spent a year working as a special education teacher in Avondale, Arizona.Marriage to John McCainOne year later, Hensley met John McCain at a military reception in Hawaii. Although John was already married, he soon ended his marriage and married Cindy in 1980. Hensley notably signed a prenuptial agreement that kept her own finances within her control, and the pair filed separate tax returns. Although John didn’t get any money from his new wife, he most certainly benefited from her connections as he worked his way up the political ladder. She then provided him with loans to fund his various campaigns.Substance AbuseIn 1989, Cindy became addicted to Percocet and Vicodin. She developed the opioid addiction after receiving spinal surgery. The stress she felt after the operation was compounded by the political scandals her husband was dealing with at the time. At one point, she was taking 20 pills per day, and her physician was writing illegal prescriptions for her. Her family later had to stage an intervention to help her get clean, and she was plagued with accusations of being a drug addict for many years – especially during her husband’s various campaigns.Real EstateIn 2018, it was reported that Cindy McCain had purchased a $2.8-million home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her new home spans 5,000 square feet and features five bedrooms, marble floors, and a large backyard.This was far from her first real estate investment in Phoenix, and she sold another home in the area about a decade prior. Back in 2008, she and her late husband sold a 14,500-square-foot mansion nearby for $3.2 million. This property sat on 2 acres of land.One year prior, the McCains moved into a condo in Phoenix. Initially, they purchased a $4.67-million condo in the 12-story, glass building in downtown Phoenix. Two years later, they purchased the downstairs unit for $830,000 and combined the two properties into one massive residence. Around that time, they also purchased a $700,000 loft for their daughter. Eventually, they put this Phoenix property back on the market for $730,000.In addition, the McCain family also owns a ranch in Cornville, Arizona. The property spans 15 acres and is worth about $1 million. The couple spent 20 years transforming the property and created a number of guest houses and cabins. After John’s passing, the family pledged to turn a strip of land on the property into a special area for local birds.Finally, the McCain family’s vast real estate portfolio also includes properties in California and Virginia – mostly condos scattered across the two states. One notable property lies in La Jolla, San Diego. The condo spans 1,429 square feet and it was eventually sold in 2017 for $1.3 million. Another two condos lie on beachfront property in Coronado, California. One of these condos was purchased for $2.6 million, while the other cost the McCains $2.1 million. Both were sold in 2014.Way back in 1993, Cindy appears to have purchased a 2,000-square-foot property in Arlington, Virginia through a trust for $375,000. In 2017, she cashed in and sold the condo for $1.2 million, collecting a substantial profit margin. Cindy McCain also sold her childhood home in Phoenix for $3.2 million in 2006.Financial DisclosuresThese real estate holdings were made public knowledge during John’s presidential campaign, when he was forced to disclose financial information. These disclosures revealed far more than just real estate investments. The couple also revealed that they owned 13 cars back in 2008. Cindy wears suits by Escada, a German fashion designer. These suits usually cost around $3,000 each.In addition, the disclosures revealed that the McCains had set aside investment funds for their children worth between $2.7 and $5.8 million. Charitable donations were also highlighted, including $500,000 to various private schools and $210,000 to the US Naval Academy Foundation. After John’s presidential campaign, $9 million in leftover funds were transferred back into the McCain Institute Foundation.
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Al Franken’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What is Al Franken’s Net Worth?Al Franken is an American comedian, actor, writer, and politician who has a net worth of $10 million. Franken started his career in the entertainment world in the 70s before transitioning toward politics in the 2000s. Al received seven Emmy nominations and three wins for his work on “Saturday Night Live.” He worked on the show from 1975 to 1980 and then again from 198 to 1995. Franken then left the show in 1995 after losing the “Weekend Update” hosting job to Norm Macdonald.He first became known for his political activism with “The Al Franken Show” before becoming elected to the United States Senate in 2008 in an extremely narrow victory against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. However, his senatorial tenure would eventually end 10 years later amidst a sexual harassment controversy.After being forced to resign, Franken went back to radio and hosted the “Al Franken Show” on SiriusXM radio. In 2021, he embarked on a comedy tour, doing stand-up for the first time since entering the Senate back in 2008.? Compare Al Franken’s Net WorthEarly LifeAlan Stuart Franken was born on May 21st of 1951 in New York City. Raised by a printing salesman and a real estate agent in a Jewish household, Franken moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota at the age of four. The family then relocated again two years later, this time to St. Louis Park, Minnesota. After graduating from university, Al attended Harvard and majored in political science. He eventually graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts by 1973.Franken had exhibited a love for performing as early as high school, when he teamed up with Tom Davis for various comedy projects. The pair performed on stage together in Minneapolis, and their act mainly focused on political satire. After leaving university, the pair found themselves in Los Angeles, although they struggled to find success in those early years.Saturday Night LiveFranken and Tom were eventually hired as the two original writers for “Saturday Night Live,” which premiered in 1975. Occasionally, the pair would also perform on the show as well. Al’s first stint with “SNL” lasted for five years, and he later returned in 1985 for another 10-year stint. During this period, Al was nominated for an Emmy Award 15 times, winning five times for writing and producing. During this period, he became famous for portraying characters such as Stuart Smalley. Tom and Al also teamed up to write a number of scripts for movies like “One More Saturday Night.” The pair booked acting roles in a few movies as well, such as “All You Need Is Cash” and “Trading Places.”Franken’s first stint at “SNL” ended in controversy, as he mocked NBC’s president Fred Silverman and was subsequently booted off the show. However, he eventually returned in 1985, writing and performing for the show over the next 10 years before ultimately leaving in protest when he was replaced as “Weekend Update” anchor by Norm McDonald. Franken later admitted to using cocaine during his time as a comedy writer, although he quit when close friend John Belushi died of an overdose.Saturday Night Live SalaryAl and Tom were recruited as two of the original writers for a new comedy show debuting on NBC in 1975 called “Saturday Night Live”. In the first season, Tom and Al split a $350 weekly salary.Political CareerAfter leaving “SNL,” Franken published a number of well-received books and continued to write various scripts. He also booked a number of acting roles during this period. In 2004, he started to turn his attention towards more political topics when he started hosting the radio show “The Al Franken Show.” However, Franken had already established a reputation as a political activist before this time.In 2007, he left radio and ran for Senate. He eventually won a seat in an extremely narrow victory of just a handful of votes. During his time as Senator, Franken developed a reputation for being an extremely effective member of the democratic party, while he was also able to work effectively with Republicans and more right-leaning groups when needed.ControversyIn 2017, a woman named Leeann Tweeden claimed that Franken had kissed her without consent back in 2006. These allegations were widely circulated by right-leaning media groups. Photos from that period later showed Al Franken “miming” groping Tweeden’s breasts while she was asleep, although no physical contact was seen in the image. In his defense, Al claimed that he didn’t remember the incident but apologized anway.Over the next few days, a slew of additional women came forward with their own sexual harassment allegations against Franken, many of them claiming that they had been groped while posing for pictures with Al. The Senate Ethics Committee later launched an official investigation into Franken’s conduct, and several groups called for his resignation while additional allegations continued to surface. In the end, Al wasn’t even given the chance to tell his story before the Ethics Committee and was forced to resign.A few years passed, and it soon became clear that there were certain inconsistencies with many of the accusations made against him, including those made by Tweeden. A number of Senators who called for his resignation later expressed regret at their actions, admitting that he wasn’t given a chance to tell his side of the story. During this period, additional women were still coming forward with allegations against Franken.Financial ReportsAccording to Al’s federally released financial disclosures, he had a net worth of $6.2 million when he entered the Senate in 2009. During his decade in public office, Al’s net worth fluctuated between $5 and $9 million.
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Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s Net Worth?Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the current King of Saudi Arabia. As of this writing he has a net worth of $20 billion. He became King in January 2015. Prior to becoming King, Salman served as Governor of Riyadh Province from February 1963 to November 2011.? Compare Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s Net WorthEarly LifeSalman was born on December 31, 1935. He is the 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the first monarch and founder of Saudi Arabia. He was raised in the Marabba Palace and received his early education at the Princes’ School in the capital city of Riyadh. The school was established by his father specifically to provide education for his children. He studied religion and modern science there. When he was 19 years old, he was appointed the deputy governor of Riyadh Province, a post which he held for about a year. He was appointed the provincial governor in 1963, an office which he retained until 2011.Political CareerIn 2011, Salman was appointed the Second Deputy Prime Minister, replacing his brother Crown Prince Sultan who had fallen ill. A year later, he was appointed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and made the First Deputy Prime Minister. In 2013, he launched a Twitter account and also served as the head of state while King Abdullah was out of the country. It was clear at this point that he was being groomed to take over the throne in Saudi Arabia. He officially inherited the throne in 2015 at the age of 79 after the death of his half-brother, Abdullah.One of his first goals as King was to streamline the government bureaucracy, which he did be consolidating the eleven government secretariats down to two – the Council of Political and Security Affairs and the Council for Economic and Development Affairs. He also reshuffled a number of members of the cabinet in an effort to make the government more organized and efficient.In March of 2015, he also ordered the bombing of Yemen and military intervention against the Shia Houthis. He did so by first organizing a coalition of ten Sunni Muslim countries and then naming the mission Operation Decisive Storm, the first Saudi airstrikes since 1991. Direct war crimes were committed during the conflict and organizations like Human Rights Watch have reported that Saudi Arabia was in violation of the laws of war.Partially in response, King Salman created the Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) in order to deliver aid to victims of civil war and natural disaster. The organization worked with the United Nations as well as other relief agencies. Some of its efforts focused to support the people of Yemen include vocational training programs for women and providing prosthetic limbs for Yemeni citizens wounded in the war. However, in general, King Salman has still be heavily criticized for the various human rights abuses that have gone unchecked during his reign, despite some of his efforts at reform.King Salman also holds wide influence in the Arab world in general, as he and his family own various media companies and groups that are prominent throughout Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East. King Salman has been described as holding traditional views regarding social and political reform. He has opposed full democracy in Saudi Arabia, citing the country’s history and the existence of multiple tribes and regions in the country which would make it hard to have cohesive political parties.In 2018, King Salman worked on implementing labor and religion reforms by replacing the labor and Islamic affairs ministers. He also established the Ministry of Culture at this time, which was charged with delivering Saudi Vision 2030, an initiative for the development of Saudi Arabia in the coming decades. Additionally, he created the Council of Royal Reserves, a council that is in charge of working on various environmental protections.In June of 2017, King Salman replaced his nephew, Muhammad bin Nayef, with his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as the new Crown Prince. Since around that time, his son has been described as the real power behind the throne and is Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader.Personal LifeSalman married three times and has had thirteen children. His first wife was Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi, his first cousin, and they married in 1954 and had six children together. His first wife died in July of 2011. Two of their children have since died – his eldest son, Fahd bin Salman, died of heart failure in 2001, and his third son, Ahmad bin Salman, died of a heart attack in 2002.Salman’s second wife is Sarah bint Faisal Al Subai’ai. The couple only had one son, Prince Saud. He then had six sons with his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain.Salman has had a number of health issues throughout the latter part of his life. In 2010, he underwent spinal surgery in the United States and has also suffered a stroke that has left his left arm less functional. He suffers from some mild dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s. He also underwent gallbladder surgery in 2020.
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Prince Edward’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What is Prince Edward’s Net Worth?Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Edward has a net worth of $10 million. Upon his mother’s death in September 2022 Prince Edward became the 12th in the line of succession to the throne. For much of his life he was third in line behind older his older brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Charles. He dropped several rungs in the succession line when Charles had children and eventually grandchildren.Following university and a brief stint in the Royal Marines, he worked as an assistant in theater and television production, and formed his own company called Ardent Productions. In 2002, Edward stepped down from the company to begin full-time duties as part of the royal family.? Compare Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex’s Net WorthEarly Life and EducationPrince Edward was born as Edward Antony Richard Louis on March 10, 1964 in London’s Buckingham Palace. He is the third son and the fourth and youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; his siblings are Charles, Anne, and Andrew. As a child, Edward went to Gibbs School, now called Collingham College, and then to Heatherdown School in Berkshire. Like his father and older brothers, he then went on to attend Gordonstoun School in Scotland, where he earned his A-levels. After graduating, Edward spent a gap year abroad teaching at Wanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand. Upon returning to the UK, he enrolled at the University of Cambridge’s Jesus College, from which he graduated in 1986 with a BA in history.Royal MarinesAfter college, Edward joined the Royal Marines. However, in early 1987, he dropped out of his commando course after having completed only a third of the year-long training. Reportedly, this caused Prince Philip, at the time Captain General Royal Marines, to become very angry and lambaste his son.Theater and Television ProductionEdward decided to pursue a career in entertainment after leaving the Royal Marines. His first major gig was commissioning the 1986 Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical “Cricket” for his mother’s 60th birthday celebration. This resulted in a job offer at Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company, where Edward worked as a production assistant on a number of major musicals.Beyond theater, Edward had his first foray into television production with “The Grand Knockout Tournament,” a one-off charity event he sponsored in 1987. Later, in 1993, he formed his own television company called Ardent Productions, which was involved in producing several dramas and documentaries. However, Edward received much criticism from the media for using his royal connections for his own financial gain. In Britain, Ardent Productions was seen as something of a joke, characterized by a lack of professionalism and television content that was completely out of touch with modern times. After reporting losses in nearly every year of operation, Edward stepped down from Ardent in 2002; the company was eventually dissolved in 2009.Activities in the Royal FamilyAlongside the Countess of Wessex, Edward established the Wessex Youth Trust in 1999. The foundation, now called the Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust, focuses on supporting and advancing registered charities that provide opportunities to youth around the world. Additionally, Edward holds patronage with more than 70 charities and organizations, including the British Paralympic Association, the National Youth Theatre, the Commonwealth Games Federation, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Many of his duties are ones he took over from his father, such as chairing the International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. In this position, Edward has traveled around the globe to recognize the achievements of teenagers and young adults. He has visited such places as Israel, Bahrain, the Caribbean, South Africa, Chile, Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Australia, among many others.For the 2014 calendar year, Edward was appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Among his other roles, he and the Countess of Wessex represented the Queen at the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s Accession to the Throne of Brunei in 2017.HonorsAs a royal, Edward has been the recipient of numerous honors during his life. His first, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, was awarded in 1977 when he was 12 years of age. The next, the New Zealand Commemorative Medal, came in 1990. Edward received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. Three years later, he was honored with the Honorary Member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and the Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan. Edward’s other honors have included Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter; Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order; and the Canadian Forces’ Decoration.Personal LifeIn 1994, Edward met PR executive Sophie Rhys-Jones. Five years later, they announced their engagement, and shortly after got married at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. This was in significant contrast to the weddings of Edward’s older brothers, who had large formal events at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. With his wife, Edward has two children: Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor. The Earl and Countess reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey, while their office and official London residence are at Buckingham Palace.
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Bashar Al-Assad’s net worth, biography, fact, career, awards and life story

What is Bashar al-Assad’s Net Worth?Bashar al-Assad is a Syrian politician and former doctor who has a net worth of $1.5 billion. Bashar al-Assad is the current President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba’ath Party. Bashar al-Assad has been the president of Syria since 2000 following the death of his father. His older brother was next in line to take over from their father. Unfortunately the older brother died in a car crash in 1994. He is also the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and the Secretary General of the Central Command of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party. Assad is notorious for leading his country to commit countless human rights violations, which have facilitated the Syrian Civil War and left the nation in extreme poverty.President Barack Obama signed an Executive order to place sanctions against Bashar Assad in an effort to pressure his regime “to end its use of violence against its people and begin transitioning to a democratic system that protects the rights of the Syrian people.” This order took place on May 18, 2011, due to this order Mr. Assad and nine other officials were added to a list with travel bans and asset freezes.? Compare Bashar Al-Assad’s Net WorthFamily WealthThe al-Assad family reportedly controls 60-75% of the Syrian economy and has used this control to amass a vast fortune. Bashar’s personal net worth is $1.5 billion. The total value of his family wealth has been estimated to be $60 – $120 billion. The family owns a vast portfolio of real estate, natural resources, art, jewelry, and much much more.Early LifeBashar al-Assad was born on September 11, 1965 in Damascus, Syria as the third child of Anisa and Hafez. He had five siblings in total: sisters Bushra and Bushra and brothers Majd, Bassel, and Maher. The first Bushra passed away in infancy. When Assad was five, his father took control of the Syrian branch of the Ba’ath Party during the Corrective Revolution, leading to his presidency. Assad and his siblings rarely saw their father during this time. For his education, Assad went to the Arab-French al-Hurriya School, and then to Damascus University to study medicine.Career BeginningsAssad graduated from medical school in 1988, and subsequently started serving as an army doctor at the Tishrin Military Hospital near Damascus. Four years after this, he moved to London to do post graduating training in ophthalmology at the Western Eye Hospital. Assad was subsequently called to the Syrian Army.Political AscendanceFollowing the death of his older brother Bassel in a car accident in 1994, Assad became the new heir apparent to the Syrian presidency. His father prepped him meticulously for the transfer of power, and had him enter the military to establish his credentials. By 1999, Assad was the colonel of the elite Syrian Republican Guard. Integral to his ascendency was his “campaign against corruption,” which targeted his potential political rivals. Additionally, Assad became the president of the Syrian Computer Society, making him able to manipulate his image to his benefit by spreading misinformation over the Internet.President of SyriaUpon the death of his father in June of 2000, Assad became the new president of Syria; the minimum age requirement for the position was lowered from 40 to 34 to allow him to assume power. Along with his role as president, Assad became the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and the Regional Secretary of the Ba’ath Party. In 2007, he was approved for another seven-year term in a presidential referendum absent of opposition parties and any other candidates.During the Arab Spring in 2011, mass protests broke out in Syria demanding political reforms and the reinstitution of basic civil liberties. As dictators do in these situations, Assad responded to the unrest with violence, ordering a brutal crackdown on the protestors that resulted in over 5,000 civilians being killed. These actions helped lead to the Syrian Civil War. Consequently, the United States, European Union, and most of the Arab League called for Assad’s resignation from the presidency. Instead, he was sworn in for yet another seven-year term in 2014 in another rigged election. He was re-elected once again in 2021. Overall, Assad’s presidency has been characterized by rampant corruption and flagrant human rights violations. Many inquiries and investigations have implicated Assad in war crimes, including but not limited to systematic torture and chemical attacks.PoliciesAs a dictator, Assad executes oppressive and unjust policies that harm his nation and its people. Due to widespread economic sanctions imposed upon Syria in response to Assad’s actions, the country is extremely impoverished. Crimes against humanity are numerous, with Assad using secret police to imprison, torture, and murder political opponents and dissidents.Assad considers himself an enemy of the West, and is active in supporting militant groups that oppose Israel. His government has collaborated with and advanced the operations of such terrorist groups as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as the dictatorships of North Korea and Russia. In 2015, the latter country provided direct military intervention in Syria to help contain the Civil War.International Public RelationsAssad and his wife are known to use United States- and United Kingdom-based public relations firms and consultants to manipulate their image for the rest of the world. Photoshoots have even been secured, with Assad’s wife appearing in a number of celebrity and fashion magazines, including Vogue. Meanwhile, Assad has used social media to build a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, through which he has been able to spread his propaganda.Personal LifeShortly after taking over the presidency in 2000, Assad married the British-Syrian Asma Akhras. Together, they have three children named Hafez, Zein, and Karim. Assad is fluent in English, and has rudimentary conversational skills in French.
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