Hamid Karzai - Former President of Afghanistan, Family and Life
Hamid Karzai's Personal Details
Hamid Karzai, the former President of Afghanistan, is known for implementing reforms aimed at bringing about peace and prosperity in the country
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | December 24, 1957 |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Famous | Leaders, Political Leaders, Afghan Leaders, Former President of Afghanistan |
| Spouses | Zeenat Karzai |
| Siblings | Ahmed Wali Karzai, Fauzia Karzai, Mahmud Karzai, Quayum Karzai |
| Childrens | Howsi Karzai, Malalai Karzai, Mirwais Karzai |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Karz |
| Political Ideology | Independent |
| Religion | Sunni Islam, Islam |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Abdul Ahad Karzai |
| Net Worth | $20 Million as of May 2017 |
| Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Born in | Karz |
| Famous as | Former President of Afghanistan |
Hamid Karzai's photo
Who is Hamid Karzai?
Hamid Karzai was the President of Afghanistan. Born to an elite family with hereditary experience in leadership positions, Hamid was raised in an atmosphere of erudition and culture. After graduating high school, he went abroad to study and to develop deep, lasting cultural ties. While overseas, a foreign power invaded his homeland. After finishing his education, he moved to a neighboring country to begin using his inborn ability to organize and administer. While raising funds for rebel groups in his homeland, Karzai continued to expand his network of intercultural contacts. After a geopolitical shift left his country under new governance, Hamid Karzai enjoyed a brief rise to power before being shunted aside by religious conservatives. After a terrorist attack overseas led to another invasion of his homeland, Hamid was given the top job in his country's new administration. Parleying his network of alliances into electoral support, Karzai successfully retained his job. Balancing a delicate alliance between local tribal leaders and wealthy foreign military benefactors, he began to reform his country. Despite low approval ratings, Karzai completed a second term in office. Although now a private citizen, he continues to hold tremendous influence in the region's affairs. To know more about his life and works read on.
Childhood & Early Life
Hamid Karzai was born on December 24, 1957 in the Karz area of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Both of his parents are ethnic Pashtun members of the Popalzai tribe. He has six brothers.
Hamid's father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament in Afghanistan in the 1960s. His uncle, Habibullah Karzai, was Afghanistan's representative to the United Nations in the same period.
He attended ‘Mahmood Hotaki Primary School’ in Kandahar. Later, he moved to Kabul to study at the ‘Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani School’. Hamid graduated from ‘Habibia High School’ in Kabul, in 1976.
Career
After graduating from high school, he traveled to India to study at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla. In 1979, while overseas, the Soviet Union invaded Karzai's homeland of Afghanistan.
In 1983, Hamid successfully obtained his master's degree. He then moved to Pakistan to work as a fundraiser for anti-government rebels in his homeland.
Karzai began working for the ‘Central Intelligence Agency’ (CIA) at this time, funneling money and weapons from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran and the United States to the rebels in Afghanistan.
In 1988, he returned to Afghanistan to work with the anti-government rebels in Tarinkot. Using his family connections, Hamid rallied his tribe to remove government forces from the city.
In 1992, the Soviet-installed government of Mohammed Najibullah collapsed. Karzai participated in drafting the ‘Peshawar Accords’, an important treaty that restored democracy in the country.
In recognition of his contribution to the rebel cause, he was appointed as Deputy First Minister of the government, in 1992. Unfortunately a short while later he was arrested for allegedly spying for a recalcitrant rebel leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Hamid however managed to escape from Kabul.
In 1996, the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ was pronounced by a ruling faction of religious ideologues that would later become known as the Taliban. As many of the Taliban were former anti-government rebels, Karzai initially supported their rise to power.
In 1999, Karzai's father was killed in Quetta, Pakistan. Members of the Taliban were blamed for the murder, and he switched his support to an opposition group that came to be known as the Northern Alliance.
On October 7, 2001, the United States military spearheaded an invasion of Afghanistan. Together with the Northern Alliance, the military coalition quickly overthrew the government.
On December 22, 2001, he was appointed the president of Afghanistan by a coalition of foreign political leaders. The next year, the ruling tribal administration in Afghanistan swore loyalty to Karzai.
In 2004, this industrious leader rejected a demand by foreign leaders and organizations to cease poppy production in Afghanistan. Poppies, a key precursor to the production of heroin, were deemed too economically necessary for the country's numerous subsistence farmers.
Karzai successfully competed for the office of president for the first time in a free election, in 2004. Although he faced charges of abuse of government resources for his campaign, he swept the polls in 21 out of 34 provinces.
Although he was extremely unpopular, this dynamic politician managed to successfully be re-elected as president in 2009. Scorned for alleged involvement in corruption and ties to the Taliban, Hamid managed to eke out a scant victory during the second run-off round of the elections.
In 2011, he signed several strategic partnership agreements with India. This ambitious leader also enjoyed good relationships with Pakistan.
In September 29, 2014, Karzai's term in office expired. He has since stepped down from the public spotlight.
Awards & Achievements
On January 29, 2002, Karzai was given a commemorative medallion by the United States House of Representatives.
In June 2003, this prominent leader was created an Honorary Knight by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
Personal Life & Legacy
During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Karzai's entirely family emigrated to the United States, where most of them still live today.
Hamid Karzai has been married to his wife Zeenat Quraishi since 1999. Together, they have three children: Mirwais, Malalai and Horwsi.
Trivia
Karzai has nearly been assassinated seven different times. At the end of his term in office, Karzai was protected by an elite military group of American bodyguards.
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Hamid Karzai's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | Indira Gandhi Prize | |
Hamid Karzai biography timelines
- // 24th Dec 1957Hamid Karzai was born on December 24, 1957 in the Karz area of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Both of his parents are ethnic Pashtun members of the Popalzai tribe. He has six brothers.
- // 1976He attended ‘Mahmood Hotaki Primary School’ in Kandahar. Later, he moved to Kabul to study at the ‘Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani School’. Hamid graduated from ‘Habibia High School’ in Kabul, in 1976.
- // 1979After graduating from high school, he traveled to India to study at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla. In 1979, while overseas, the Soviet Union invaded Karzai's homeland of Afghanistan.
- // 1983In 1983, Hamid successfully obtained his master's degree. He then moved to Pakistan to work as a fundraiser for anti-government rebels in his homeland.
- // 1988In 1988, he returned to Afghanistan to work with the anti-government rebels in Tarinkot. Using his family connections, Hamid rallied his tribe to remove government forces from the city.
- // 1992In 1992, the Soviet-installed government of Mohammed Najibullah collapsed. Karzai participated in drafting the ‘Peshawar Accords’, an important treaty that restored democracy in the country.
- // 1992In recognition of his contribution to the rebel cause, he was appointed as Deputy First Minister of the government, in 1992. Unfortunately a short while later he was arrested for allegedly spying for a recalcitrant rebel leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Hamid however managed to escape from Kabul.
- // 1996In 1996, the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ was pronounced by a ruling faction of religious ideologues that would later become known as the Taliban. As many of the Taliban were former anti-government rebels, Karzai initially supported their rise to power.
- // 1999In 1999, Karzai's father was killed in Quetta, Pakistan. Members of the Taliban were blamed for the murder, and he switched his support to an opposition group that came to be known as the Northern Alliance.
- // 1999Hamid Karzai has been married to his wife Zeenat Quraishi since 1999. Together, they have three children: Mirwais, Malalai and Horwsi.
- // 7th Oct 2001On October 7, 2001, the United States military spearheaded an invasion of Afghanistan. Together with the Northern Alliance, the military coalition quickly overthrew the government.
- // 22nd Dec 2001On December 22, 2001, he was appointed the president of Afghanistan by a coalition of foreign political leaders. The next year, the ruling tribal administration in Afghanistan swore loyalty to Karzai.
- // 29th Jan 2002On January 29, 2002, Karzai was given a commemorative medallion by the United States House of Representatives.
- // Jun 2003In June 2003, this prominent leader was created an Honorary Knight by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
- // 2004In 2004, this industrious leader rejected a demand by foreign leaders and organizations to cease poppy production in Afghanistan. Poppies, a key precursor to the production of heroin, were deemed too economically necessary for the country's numerous subsistence farmers.
- // 2004Karzai successfully competed for the office of president for the first time in a free election, in 2004. Although he faced charges of abuse of government resources for his campaign, he swept the polls in 21 out of 34 provinces.
- // 2009Although he was extremely unpopular, this dynamic politician managed to successfully be re-elected as president in 2009. Scorned for alleged involvement in corruption and ties to the Taliban, Hamid managed to eke out a scant victory during the second run-off round of the elections.
- // 2011In 2011, he signed several strategic partnership agreements with India. This ambitious leader also enjoyed good relationships with Pakistan.
- // 29th Sep 2014In September 29, 2014, Karzai's term in office expired. He has since stepped down from the public spotlight.
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Hamid Karzai's FAQ
What is Hamid Karzai birthday?
Hamid Karzai was born at 1957-12-24
Where is Hamid Karzai's birth place?
Hamid Karzai was born in Karz
What is Hamid Karzai nationalities?
Hamid Karzai's nationalities is Afghan
Who is Hamid Karzai spouses?
Hamid Karzai's spouses is Zeenat Karzai
Who is Hamid Karzai siblings?
Hamid Karzai's siblings is Ahmed Wali Karzai, Fauzia Karzai, Mahmud Karzai, Quayum Karzai
Who is Hamid Karzai childrens?
Hamid Karzai's childrens is Howsi Karzai, Malalai Karzai, Mirwais Karzai
What was Hamid Karzai universities?
Hamid Karzai studied at 1983 - Himachal Pradesh University, 1976 - Habibia High School, Middle East Technical University
What is Hamid Karzai's political ideology?
Hamid Karzai's political ideology is Independent
What is Hamid Karzai's religion?
Hamid Karzai's religion is Sunni Islam, Islam
Who is Hamid Karzai's father?
Hamid Karzai's father is Abdul Ahad Karzai
What is Hamid Karzai's sun sign?
Hamid Karzai is Capricorn
How famous is Hamid Karzai?
Hamid Karzai is famouse as Former President of Afghanistan