Asif Ali Zardari Biography

(Former President of Pakistan)

Birthday: July 26, 1955 (Leo)

Born In: Karachi

Asif Ali Zardari began his professional life unsuccessfully attempting to pursue a political career but eventually his determination and political ties helped him rise to the rank of the president of his nation.Much of his political recognition came from his wife’s much more successful career. She was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan. This political power was abused in Zardari’s hands. The couple was continuously enveloped in scandal. Whenever his wife lost political power, he was consistently jailed for abuses such as corruption, murder, and money laundering. He was generally unpopular and disliked up until his wife’s assassination. This political upset left her party supporters sympathetic to her husband, and they hoped he could fill her role as leader of the group. It was this wave of support which propelled him into the running for the first democratically elected President of Pakistan. Once he assumed power, his scandalous behavior continued and both prior and new corruption charges resurfaced throughout his term. His term was rattled with problems including government default and an ‘International Monetary Fund’ bailout. Once his time as President ended, he announced his lack of interest in continuing his political career, though he hopes to help his son regain power
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Quick Facts

Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Benazir Bhutto

father: Hakim Ali Zardari

mother: Ara Zardari

siblings: Azra Fazal Pechuho, Faryal Talpur, Fouzia Zardari

children: Asifa Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Presidents Pakistani Men

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Males

political ideology: President of Pakistan - 2008–2013, Co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party

City: Karachi, Pakistan

More Facts

education: Karachi Grammar School, 1972 - Cadet College Petaro, 1974 - St Patrick's High School, Karachi

Childhood & Early Life
He was born on July 26, 1955 in Karachi, Pakistan. His father was a wealthy businessman, politician, and landlord.
During his early years, he studied at both Saint Patrick’s School in Karachi and in London with a focus on business. He was not successful in politics until his shocking arranged marriage to Benazir Bhutto on December 18, 1987.
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Career
In 1983, he attempted to begin his political career. Unfortunately, he lost the election for the district council seat in Nawabshah. His defeat caused him to temporarily turn away from politics and focus on a real estate career.
His political dreams were realized through his wife Benazir Bhutto, with her election as Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1988. She was Pakistan’s first woman to hold such a position.
Her reign was short lived as she was dismissed from office in 1990 over corruption charges. Her husband and his associates are believed to be a large part of the reason her administration collapsed.
In 1990, Zardari was arrested on kidnapping and extortion charges and his part in the corruption of his wife’s administration. The couple faced criticism from both political parties.
From 1990 to 1993, he was periodically released from prison to attend sessions of the ‘National Assembly’.
In 1993, his wife once again obtained the political power necessary to assist her husband. He was released from jail and appointed minister of the environment and federal minister for investment.
In 1996, a family feud resulted in the murder of Zardari’s brother-in-law. The same year, his wife once again lost power due to corruption allegations. He was suspected in his brother-in-law’s murder and was sent back to jail this time on charges of murder, money laundering, and corruption.
Despite being in prison at the time, he was elected to serve on the Pakistan Senate in 1997. Though he was technically a Senator, he was not released from jail until years later.
In 2004, he was released from jail on bail, but continued to be re-arrested throughout the year. Once he was released late in the year, he decided to leave the country to receive medical treatment in the United States for psychological distress.
In 2007, his wife gained enough political influence to allow her husband amnesty for his crimes. In December of that year, she was assassinated and he took on her political roles.
Due to his wife’s death, his political career was launched forward and he became the leader of the ‘Pakistan People’s Party’ in place of his wife. On September 6, 2008 he was elected president of Pakistan.
Major Works
In December of 2007, he became co-chairman of the ‘Pakistan People’s Party’ and made his son the chairman. His personal political career was significantly shifted by this change when the following elections proved successful for the PPP. This party’s influence and commitment to him allowed him to easily win the presidential elections the following year.
Awards & Achievements
In 2008, he was elected president of Pakistan. During his five year term, he dealt with economic default, a bailout from the IMF, the ongoing war in Afghanistan, and the 2010 Pakistan floods. He was the first democratically-elected president of Pakistan.
In 2013, he received the ‘Guard of honour’. It was given to him for serving as the first democratically elected president.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Benazir Bhutto on December 18, 1987. His amazing spouse went on to become the first female prime minister of an Islamic nation. Together, the couple had three children.
His son, Bilawal, is currently the Chairman of the ‘Pakistan People’s Party’. Zardari hopes to assist his son in filling his mother and father’s political shoes by regaining power of Pakistan.
Trivia
After his release from jail in 1993, this famous politician coined the nickname ‘Mr. Ten Percent’ for all of the kickbacks and bribes he allegedly accepted during his first reign as Prime Minister. He was accused of charging a ten percent commission for allowing projects to be set up or for loans to be received

See the events in life of Asif Ali Zardari in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Asif Ali Zardari Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/asif-ali-zardari-5748.php

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