# **Bashar al-Assad Net Worth: A Comprehensive Look at the Syrian President’s Wealth**
*Summary: Bashar al-Assad is the current President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba’ath Party. He has a net worth of $1.5 billion. The al-Assad family reportedly controls 60-75% of the Syrian economy and has a total estimated wealth of $60 – $120 billion. Assad’s presidency has been marked by human rights violations, corruption, and economic sanctions. This article provides an in-depth overview of Bashar al-Assad’s career, personal life, policies, and international public relations.*
## **Introduction**
In this article, we will explore Bashar al-Assad’s net worth and delve into the life and career of the Syrian president. Bashar al-Assad is a Syrian politician and former doctor who assumed the presidency of Syria in the year 2000 after the death of his father. He is known for his controversial policies, human rights violations, and involvement in the Syrian Civil War. We will also discuss the wealth accumulated by the al-Assad family and the role it has played in Bashar’s net worth.
## **Early Life and Education**
Bashar al-Assad was born on September 11, 1965, in Damascus, Syria. He is the third child of Anisa and Hafez al-Assad. Assad had five siblings, but sadly, one of his sisters passed away in infancy. His father, Hafez al-Assad, took control of the Syrian branch of the Ba’ath Party during the Corrective Revolution, leading to his presidency. During this time, Bashar and his siblings had limited interaction with their father.
Assad attended the Arab-French al-Hurriya School for his primary education. He later enrolled at Damascus University, where he studied medicine. In 1988, he graduated from medical school and began serving as an army doctor at the Tishrin Military Hospital near Damascus. Assad’s passion for medicine led him to pursue postgraduate training in ophthalmology at the Western Eye Hospital in London. However, his plans changed when he was called back to serve in the Syrian Army.
## **Political Ascendance and Presidency**
Following the untimely death of his older brother Bassel in a car accident in 1994, Bashar al-Assad became the new heir apparent to the Syrian presidency. His father groomed him for the transfer of power and had him join the military to establish his credentials. By 1999, Assad had risen to the rank of colonel in the elite Syrian Republican Guard. A significant factor in his rise to power was his “campaign against corruption,” which targeted potential political rivals.
In June 2000, after his father’s passing, Bashar al-Assad assumed the presidency of Syria. The minimum age requirement for the position was lowered to 34 to accommodate his succession. Along with becoming president, Assad also took on the roles of commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and the Regional Secretary of the Ba’ath Party. In 2007, he secured another seven-year term through a presidential referendum that lacked opposition parties and alternative candidates. This pattern repeated in 2014 and 2021.
## **Human Rights Violations and Controversial Policies**
During the Arab Spring in 2011, mass protests erupted in Syria, urging political reforms and the restoration of civil liberties. Bashar al-Assad responded to the unrest with violence, ordering a brutal crackdown on the protestors that resulted in the deaths of over 5,000 civilians. These actions played a significant role in triggering the Syrian Civil War. As a result, the United States, European Union, and various Arab League nations called for Assad’s resignation. However, he remained in power and was re-elected in 2014 and 2021 in elections criticized for lacking transparency and competitive candidates.
Assad’s presidency has been characterized by rampant corruption and numerous human rights violations. Several inquiries and investigations have implicated him in war crimes, including torture and chemical attacks. His oppressive policies have contributed to widespread poverty within Syria, with economic sanctions further exacerbating the country’s financial struggles.
## **The al-Assad Family Wealth**
The al-Assad family is reported to have control over 60-75% of the Syrian economy, amassing a vast fortune. Bashar al-Assad’s personal net worth is estimated at $1.5 billion. However, the total wealth of the al-Assad family is believed to range between $60 billion and $120 billion. Their wealth comes from a diverse portfolio of assets, including real estate, natural resources, art, jewelry, and more.
## **International Public Relations and Image Manipulation**
Assad and his wife, Asma Akhras, have employed United States- and United Kingdom-based public relations firms and consultants to manage their public image. The couple has even secured photoshoots, with Asma appearing in celebrity and fashion magazines like Vogue. Bashar utilizes social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to disseminate propaganda and shape his public perception.
## **Personal Life**
Shortly after assuming the presidency, Bashar al-Assad married Asma Akhras, a British-Syrian woman. Together, they have three children named Hafez, Zein, and Karim. Assad is fluent in English and has basic conversational skills in French.
## **Conclusion**
Bashar al-Assad’s net worth of $1.5 billion pales in comparison to the estimated wealth of his family, which ranges between $60 billion and $120 billion. As the President of Syria, Assad’s reign has been marred by human rights violations, corruption, and economic sanctions. His involvement in the Syrian Civil War and alliances with terrorist groups have further contributed to the ongoing crisis in the country. Despite international pressure, Assad has managed to retain his position of power through rigged elections and the use of force.
## **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)**
**1. What is Bashar al-Assad’s net worth?**
Bashar al-Assad has a net worth of $1.5 billion.
**2. How did the al-Assad family accumulate their wealth?**
The al-Assad family reportedly controls 60-75% of the Syrian economy. They have amassed their wealth through a diverse portfolio of assets, including real estate, natural resources, art, jewelry, and more.
**3. What has Bashar al-Assad’s presidency been characterized by?**
Assad’s presidency has been marked by human rights violations, corruption, economic sanctions, and his involvement in the Syrian Civil War.
**4. How has Bashar al-Assad manipulated his international public image?**
Assad and his wife have employed public relations firms and consultants to manage their public image. They have secured photoshoots and utilized social media platforms to spread propaganda.
**5. Is Bashar al-Assad still in power?**
Yes, Assad remains in power despite international calls for his resignation. He has been re-elected multiple times through elections criticized for lacking transparency and competitive candidates.
## **Final Thought**
Bashar al-Assad’s net worth is just one aspect of his controversial and tumultuous presidency. His involvement in human rights violations, corruption, and the Syrian Civil War has had a significant impact on the country and its people. As the leader of Syria, Assad’s actions and policies have drawn international condemnation and resulted in economic sanctions. The future of Syria and its people remain uncertain under his regime.
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