Osama bin Laden | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : December 29, 2024

Who is Osama bin Laden?

Osama bin Laden was a prominent figure in the realm of global terrorism, best known for his establishment of the al Qaeda network and his role in the September 11 attacks in 2001. Born on March 10, 1957, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he was the son of billionaire Mohammed Awad bin Laden and his tenth wife, Alia Ghanem. His childhood was marked by strict religious upbringing and a thirst for knowledge, which led him to become involved in Islamic militant activities during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. This pivotal experience motivated him to advocate for a worldwide jihad against perceived enemies of Islam.

Following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, bin Laden’s disillusionment with his native Saudi Arabia grew due to what he perceived as its corrupt governance and reliance on American military presence. This led to his expulsion from Saudi Arabia in 1991 and subsequent exile to Sudan and later Afghanistan, where he gained the support of the Taliban. Here, he solidified his vision of a global jihadist movement and orchestrated attacks on U.S. targets, most notably the 1998 embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya. His notoriety peaked with the September 11 attacks, resulting in nearly 3,000 civilian deaths and triggering a massive international response led by the United States in the global war on terror.

Early Life and Education

Osama bin Laden was born on March 10, 1957, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, into the affluent bin Laden family, known for their vast construction empire. He was the 17th of 52 children of Mohammed Awad bin Laden, a construction magnate and adviser to the Saudi royal family. His mother, Alia Ghanem, was his father's 10th wife, and bin Laden was the only child from this marriage. After his parents divorced, he lived with his mother and stepfather, Muhammad al-Attas, along with his four step-siblings. Bin Laden attended Al Thagher Model School, where he excelled academically but became increasingly influenced by radical interpretations of Islam.

At just 14, bin Laden's education took a significant turn when he joined an Islamic study group at Al Thagher, where he began memorizing the Quran. Initially intended for academic enrichment, the group turned to the tenets of violent jihad, led by a teacher influenced by the Brotherhood ideology. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of bin Laden's radicalization, as he adopted the cultural practices of Islamic activists, emphasizing a strict interpretation of Islam. After graduating from Al Thagher in 1976, he pursued higher education at King Abdul Aziz University, obtaining a degree in public administration or civil engineering in 1981. These formative years laid the foundation for his later militant pursuits.

From Hero to Exile: Bin Laden's Political Activism

Osama bin Laden's political activism took a dramatic turn following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Initially hailed as a hero, he joined the jihadist resistance, motivated by a deep sense of duty to repel foreign occupation. Armed with substantial financial resources and a vision of religious fervor, he became a prominent figure among the mujahideen. Following the Soviet withdrawal, bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia but soon grew disillusioned with the ruling government, which he deemed corrupt and insufficiently Islamic due to its reliance on American military presence during the Gulf War. His outspoken criticisms alienated him from the Saudi authorities, culminating in his banishment.

In exile, bin Laden refocused his efforts and established al Qaeda, which became a key player in global jihadist movements. His organization aimed to unite Muslims against Western influence and restore what he perceived as pure Islamic governance. Bin Laden's rhetoric intensified, framing his struggle as a holy war, or jihad, against the U.S. and its allies. Through various attacks, including bombings of U.S. embassies and military installations, he sought to highlight grievances against Western powers while rallying support for his militant cause. This shift from a nationalistic hero to a globally recognized terrorist leader marked his transition into one of the most polarizing figures in modern history.

Formation of al Qaeda and Major Attacks

Osama bin Laden's radicalization was solidified during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, leading him to join the Mujahideen resistance. This experience inspired him to establish al Qaeda in 1989, a militant network aimed at uniting Muslim fighters to wage jihad against perceived oppressors of Islam. Underbin Laden's leadership, al Qaeda began to grow, recruiting followers and conducting operations that aligned with his extremist ideology. His vision was to rid Muslim lands of foreign influence, particularly the U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia, which he considered a desecration of holy ground.

As al Qaeda's influence grew, bin Laden orchestrated several major attacks targeted at Western interests. Notable among these were the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1998, which resulted in nearly 300 deaths. These provocations culminated in the September 11, 2001 attacks, where al Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon, while the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. This unprecedented assault on American soil killed nearly 3,000 individuals and marked a turning point in global counterterrorism efforts.

9/11 Attacks and Global Impact

Osama bin Laden, the founder of al Qaeda, orchestrated the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2001, which became a pivotal moment in global history. This coordinated assault involved hijacking four commercial planes, resulting in the catastrophic collisions of two planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, another crashing into the Pentagon, and a fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashing in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control. The attacks claimed nearly 3,000 innocent lives and marked a paradigm shift in international relations, prompting the U.S. to initiate the War on Terror and altering security policies worldwide.

The repercussions of the 9/11 attacks were immediate and profound, leading to a U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan aimed at dismantling al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power. This military campaign extended for nearly two decades, fundamentally changing the geopolitical landscape and drawing significant military resources into Afghanistan and Iraq. The attacks prompted enhanced global security measures and a re-evaluation of counter-terrorism strategies in various nations. Bin Laden's ability to incite fear and mobilize support for global jihad had lasting effects, shaping terrorism's footprint in the 21st century and influencing international relations, domestic security policies, and public perceptions of Islam and the Arab world.

Personal Life: Marriages and Children

Osama bin Laden's personal life was marked by multiple marriages and a large family. He married his first cousin, Najwa Ghanem, when he was 18 years old, and together they had 11 children, including their firstborn son, Abdullah. Their marriage lasted for over two decades until they separated shortly before the September 11 attacks. Following his first marriage, bin Laden wed Khadijah Sharif, who bore him three children before their divorce in 1995. Ultimately, he formed bonds with three more wives—Khairah Saber, Siham Sabar, and Amal Ahmed al-Sada—who remained with him until his death.

In total, bin Laden fathered 24 children, with many of them born to his last three wives during his years in hiding. His children include Abdullah, Abdul Rhman, Saad, Omar, and Zainab, among others. Notably, two of his sons, Saad and Hamza bin Laden, met tragic ends due to military actions linked to counter-terrorism efforts. While many of bin Laden's children maintain a low profile, some have expressed differing views from their father, indicating a complex legacy intertwined with a controversial figure. Despite the public perception of Osama bin Laden, his family dynamics reveal a different, more personal narrative that contrasts with his public persona as a notorious terrorist leader.

Net Worth and Earning: Estimated Wealth

Osama bin Laden's net worth has been the subject of considerable speculation, primarily due to his family's considerable wealth and his own personal assets amassed over the years. Early estimates of his wealth were often exaggerated, with figures reaching as high as $250 million. Most of his fortune stemmed from his family's construction business, the Saudi Binladin Group, which held significant contracts within Saudi Arabia and abroad. However, it is important to note that after being disowned by his family in the 1990s and losing access to his substantial annual stipend from them, bin Laden's financial resources became severely limited.

During his time in Afghanistan and Sudan, bin Laden is believed to have financed al Qaeda’s operations using personal wealth, but as his fortune diminished, he increasingly turned to illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and donations from sympathizers. His ability to fund large-scale attacks, like those on U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998, further asserted that even with limited resources, he could orchestrate devastating operations. Post-1996, his financial situation may have stabilized as he received support from radical networks, but the exact details remain unclear due to the secretive nature of his operations and the volatility surrounding his funding sources.