Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), has been detained for much of the past 20 years.
Despite her party, the National League for Democracy, winning a significant election in 1990, the military, in power since 1962, refused to cede control.
She served as secretary general of the National League for Democracy (NLD) since the party’s founding in 1988 and was registered as president when the party was a legal party from 2011 to 2023.
She played a key role in Myanmar’s transition from military rule to partial democracy in the 2010s.
File
- Full name: Aung San Suu Kyi
- Date of birth: June 19, 1945
- Age: 78 years old
- Place of birth: Yangon, Myanmar
- Nationality: Burmese
- Occupation: Politician, Author, Civil rights activist
- Height: 1.68m
- Parents: Aung San, Khin Kyi
- Siblings: Aunt San oo, Aung San chit, Aung San lin
- Couple:
- Children: Alexander Aris, Dannian Kim Arundel Aris
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $215 million
Early life
According to Peter Popham, Aung San Suu Kyi was born on June 19, 1945 in Rangoon (now Yangon), British Burma, but she was born in a small village on the outskirts of Rangoon called Hmway Saung.
Her father, Aung San, allied with the Japanese during World War II, established the modern Burmese army, and negotiated Burma’s independence from Great Britain in 1947.
Tragically, he was assassinated by his rival that same year. Aung San Suu Kyi’s family background was as the niece of Thakin Than Tun, who was married to Khin Khin Gyi, the older sister of her mother, Khin Kyi.
Her mother and two brothers, Aung San Lin and Aung San Oo, raised her in Rangoon. Aung San Lin died at the age of eight after drowning in a lake on their property.
Her brother later moved to San Diego, California and became a US citizen. After Aung San Lin’s death, the family moved to a house near Inya Lake, where Aung San Suu Kyi came into contact with people of different backgrounds, political beliefs, and beliefs.
Education
Aung San Suu Kyi’s education was diverse and reflected her future leadership role and upbringing.
She attended English-medium Catholic schools in Burma until 1960, then completed her secondary education at the Convent of Jesus and Mary’s School in New Delhi, India.
She earned a BA in Politics from Delhi University from 1960 to 1964 and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from St Hugh’s College, Oxford University, from 1964 to 1969.
Additionally, she began doctoral studies in Burmese literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, in 1985, although her work was interrupted.
Career
She was educated in England and held a position at the United Nations before returning to Myanmar during the 1988 pro-democracy protests.
She co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD) and became a prominent opposition figure.
She was placed under house arrest by the military government in 1989 and isolated for the next two decades.
She promoted nonviolent resistance and became a global symbol of democracy, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. After the government initiated some reforms, she was released in 2010.
Having led the NLD to key victories in the 2015 and 2020 elections, she was prevented from assuming the presidency due to constitutional restrictions.
Acting as de facto leader, she served as State Counselor from 2016 to 2021, overseeing economic growth and strengthening ties with Western countries.
She received global criticism for her approach to the Rohingya crisis in 2017, where she was accused of ignoring atrocities by the military.
After the military refused to accept the 2020 election results, a coup took place in February 2021, leading to the arrest of Suu Kyi and other NLD members.
Despite calls from the international community to release her and restore democracy, she remains detained and faces numerous charges by the military regime.
Myanmar’s future and Suu Kyi’s legacy are uncertain as her supporters promote her courage. At the same time, her critics question her commitment to human rights and failure to condemn military actions.
The situation in Myanmar continues to be unstable with ongoing protests and violence against military rule.
Awards and appointments
Big prizes:
- Nobel Peace Prize (1991): Awarded for “nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights”.
- Rafto Human Rights Award (1990): Recognizing their efforts to promote human rights in their communities.
- Sakharov Prize (1991): Awarded by the European Parliament for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- Olof Palme Award (2005): Honoring outstanding achievements in international cooperation and human rights.
- Congressional Gold Medal (2008): The highest civilian award bestowed by the United States Congress.
- Wallenberg Medal (2011): Recognizes individuals who demonstrate courage and resilience in the face of oppression.
- The Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011) is the highest civilian award given by the President of the United States.
Other differences:
- Amnesty International “Ambassador of Conscience” Award (2009)
- Chatham House Award (2011)
- Honorary doctorate from many universities around the world
Nominations:
- Suu Kyi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times before receiving the award in 1991.
- She was also nominated for the Sakharov Prize in 1988 and 1989.
Social Media
- Instagram handle name: Not applicable
- Facebook manager: Aung San Susu Kyi
- Twitter name: Not applicable
Personal life
Born in 1945 in Rangoon, Burma, now called Yangon, Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of Aung San, a revered independence hero who was assassinated when he was just 2 years old.
Educated in Burma, India and England, she married British academic Michael Aris in 1972, and they had two sons.
Returning to Burma in 1988 to care for her ailing mother, Suu Kyi became involved in the pro-democracy movement and eventually founded the National League for Democracy (NLD). Influenced by Gandhian principles, Suu Kyi championed a nonviolent resistance movement against the military regime.
Despite being placed under house arrest in 1989, she remained a beacon of hope, eventually winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.
During 21 years apart from her family, Suu Kyi continued to be a symbol of the struggle for democracy in Myanmar.
After her release from house arrest in 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi remained politically constrained. Despite the NLD’s overwhelming victory in the 2015 election, she could not become President due to constitutional violations.
She held a key position as State Counselor of Myanmar from 2016 to 2021 but faced international criticism for her response to the Rohingya crisis and other human rights violations.
After being detained during a military coup in 2021, she is now on trial with an uncertain outcome.
While she was under house arrest, her husband, Michael Aris, died of cancer in 1999, a heartbreaking situation in which she was unable to be by his side.
Suu Kyi has faced backlash for her perceived inaction on human rights abuses, failing to meet the expectations of many who once saw her as a symbol of democracy.
Net value
This Burmese politician has an estimated net worth of $215 million.
