Who Is Aafia Siddiqui? Age, Biography and Wiki
Aafia Siddiqui was born on March 2, 1972, making her 53 years old in 2025. Siddiqui garnered global attention due to her controversial legal battles following her conviction for attempted murder in 2010. Often referred to as “Lady al-Qaeda,” her life story encompasses a background of academic excellence and a turbulent journey through the judicial system. Siddiqui completed her early education in Pakistan before moving to the United States, where she pursued higher education and achieved a Ph.D. in neuroscience.
| Occupation | Scientists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1972 |
| Age | 53 Years |
| Birth Place | Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Pakistan |
Popularity
Aafia Siddiqui's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Aafia Siddiqui stands at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and weighs around 130 pounds (59 kg). Her body measurements remain lesser-known due to her background and current circumstances, but it is clear that she maintains a petite and slender frame.
Siddiqui was provided care for her wound while incarcerated in the United States. In September 2008, a prosecutor reported to the court that Siddiqui had refused to be examined by a female doctor, despite the doctor's extensive efforts. On 9 September 2008, she underwent a forced medical exam.
In November 2008, forensic psychologist Leslie Powers reported that Siddiqui had been "reluctant to allow medical staff to treat her". Her last medical exam had indicated her external wounds no longer required medical dressing and were healing well.
A psychiatrist employed by the prosecutor to examine Siddiqui's competence to stand trial, Gregory B.
Saathoff, observed in a March 2009 report that Siddiqui frequently verbally and physically refused to allow the medical staff to check her vital signs and weight, attempted to refuse medical care once it was apparent that her wound had largely healed, and refused to take antibiotics.
At the same time, Siddiqui claimed to her brother that when she needed medical treatment she did not get it, which Saathoff said he found no support for in his review of documents and interviews with medical and security personnel, nor in his interviews with Siddiqui.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Aafia Siddiqui's family situation remains significant yet complex. She has three children whom she lost custody of due to her legal issues. While there have been speculations regarding her relationships during her incarceration, no confirmed details about a boyfriend or partner have been released to the public. Siddiqui’s legal team and family continue to advocate for her release, emphasizing the family bonds she continues to cherish.
She belongs to the Urdu-speaking Muhajir, Deobandi community of Karachi. She was raised in an observant Muslim household, although her parents combined devotional Islam with their resolve to understand and use technological advances in science.
Net Worth and Salary
Aafia Siddiqui's net worth is not publicly documented in detail, primarily due to her long-standing legal troubles and incarceration. Speculations suggest that she has limited financial means. While her earnings prior to her arrest as a neuroscientist may have been substantial, her current net worth is estimated to be very modest, often considered less than a million dollars.
Career, Business and Investments
Before her legal troubles, Aafia Siddiqui had a promising career as a neuroscientist. She completed her education at excellent institutions, securing her Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research primarily focused on cognitive neuroscience. However, due to her conviction and imprisonment, her career has been effectively put on hold. There have been no notable business endeavors or investments reported in recent years.
After receiving her PhD, she told one of her advisers she planned to devote herself to her family rather than a career. She began translating biographies of Arab Afghan shahid (jihad fighters who had been killed) written by Abdullah Yusuf Azzam ("the Godfather of Afghan Jihad").
and became more strict in her religion, wearing a niqāb—a black veil that covered everything but her eyes—and avoiding any music—even background music at science exhibits.
Social Network
Aafia Siddiqui's presence on social media is virtually nonexistent. Given her incarceration, she does not maintain personal profiles on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Discussions about her are often organized through advocacy groups aiming to raise awareness about her case and other similar issues related to civil rights.
"At MIT, several of the MSA's most active members had fallen under the spell of Abdullah Azzam, a Muslim Brother who was Osama bin Laden's mentor....
[Azzam] had established the Al Kifah Refugee Center [Brooklyn, New York] to function as its worldwide recruiting post, propaganda office, and fund-raising center for the mujahideen fighting in Afghanistan... It would become the nucleus of the al-Qaeda organization."
Education
Aafia Siddiqui's educational background highlights her academic prowess. She graduated from the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a doctorate in neuroscience. This education set the foundation for her future career as a neuroscientist, where she explored complex subjects relating to the brain and cognition before her life took a dramatic and controversial turn.
In conclusion, Aafia Siddiqui’s journey is one marked by academic achievement intertwined with significant legal challenges. As of 2025, her story continues to captivate interest on both national and international levels, reflecting broader issues of justice, civil rights, and personal resilience.
For a period from 1990, she studied in the United States and obtained from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology a B.S. in biology, and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Brandeis University in 2001. She returned to Pakistan for a time following the 9/11 attacks and again in 2003 during the war in Afghanistan.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad named her a courier and financier for al-Qaeda, and she was placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigations's Seeking Information – Terrorism list; she was the first woman to have been featured on the list. Around this time, she and her three children were allegedly kidnapped in Pakistan.
