Who Is Ali Abdullah Saleh? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ali Abdullah Saleh was born on March 21, 1947, making him 78 years old in 2025. He served as President of Yemen from 1978 until his resignation in 2012, a tenure that spanned over three decades and was marked by significant political upheaval and conflict. Born in the city of San'a, Saleh rose through the ranks of the military and became a pivotal figure in Yemen's history. Explore more about his life on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 21, 1947 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Beit al-Ahmar, Sanhan District, Kingdom of Yemen (North Yemen). |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Yemen |
| Date of death | 4 December, 2017 |
| Died Place | Sanaa, Yemen |
Popularity
Ali Abdullah Saleh's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Ali Abdullah Saleh's physical stature remains often discussed, although concrete statistics are less prominent due to his controversial legacy. Historically, he was approximately 1.78m (5 feet 10 inches) tall and maintained an average weight during his presidency, which was influenced by both his political responsibilities and lifestyle.
On 3 June 2011, Saleh was injured in a bomb attack on his presidential compound. Multiple C-4 explosive charges were planted inside the mosque and one exploded when the president and major members of his government were praying.
The explosion killed four bodyguards and former prime minister, Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani (who died later of his wounds), deputy prime ministers, head of the parliament, governor of Sanaa and many more.
Saleh suffered burns and shrapnel injuries, but survived, a result that was confirmed by an audio message he sent to state media in which he condemned the attack, but his voice clearly revealed that he was having difficulty in speaking. Government officials tried to downplay the attack by saying he was lightly wounded.
The next day he was taken to a military hospital in Saudi Arabia for treatment. According to U.S. government officials, Saleh suffered a collapsed lung and burns on about 40 per cent of his body. A Saudi official said that Saleh had undergone two operations: one to remove the shrapnel and a neurosurgery on his neck.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Ali Abdullah Saleh was married to family member Asma Saleh, with whom he had several children. His familial ties and their implications in his political career have been topics of discussion in both local and international media. By 2025, his family dynamics are closely watched, especially considering the ongoing political climate in Yemen and the involvement of his descendants in the region's affairs. No information is available concerning romantic relationships post his presidency.
Saleh's father, Abdallah Saleh died after he divorced Ali Abdullah's mother when Saleh was still young. His mother later remarried her deceased former husband's brother, Muhammad Saleh, who soon became Saleh's mentor and stepfather. Saleh's brother Mohammed was a major general and had three children: Yahya, Tareq, and Ammar, who all served under Saleh during his rule.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimates of Ali Abdullah Saleh's net worth have varied over the years, with figures in the range of several million dollars during his presidency from lucrative deals and investments in various sectors. However, accurate assessments in 2025 are complicated by the drastic changes in Yemen's socio-political landscape and economic decline.
In early 2011, following the Tunisian revolution which resulted in the overthrow of the long-time Tunisian president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, opposition parties attempted to do the same in Yemen.
Opposition elements started leading protests and demanding that Saleh end his three-decade-long rule because of the perceived lack of democratic reform, widespread corruption and human rights abuses carried out by him and his allies.
His net worth was estimated to be between 32 and 64 billion dollars with his money spread across multiple accounts in Europe and abroad.
Career, Business and Investments
Throughout his presidency, Saleh engaged in numerous business ventures, investing in oil and gas sectors, which were vital for Yemen's economy. His political career was also marked by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, factors that deeply influenced his legacy. Following his resignation in 2012 amidst the Arab Spring, his direct involvement in politics diminished, but the impact of his governance is still evident in Yemen today.
Himself a Zaydi Shia Muslim, Saleh openly allied with the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in May 2015 during the Yemeni civil war, in which a protest movement and subsequent insurgency succeeded in capturing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, causing President Hadi to resign and flee the country.
In December 2017, he declared his withdrawal from his coalition with the Houthis and instead sided with his former enemies – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and President al-Hadi.
Social Network
Ali Abdullah Saleh maintained a complex network of political alliances, both within Yemen and internationally. His relationship with regional powers has been contentious, particularly during and after the civil unrest. Despite being out of office, he had significant influence through various social connections, though by 2025, his activity on social media remains limited, possibly due to the ongoing conflict and personal challenges.
An informant for the National Security Bureau (NSB) and Political Security Organization (PSO) made these allegations."Hani Muhammad Mujahid, 38, told Al Jazeera that 'many Al-Qaeda leaders were under the complete control of Ali Abdullah Saleh', 'Ali Abdullah Saleh turned Al-Qaeda into an organized criminal gang.
He was not only playing with the West. He was playing with the entire world'."Richard Barrett, who was with Britain's MI6 intelligence agency before becoming director of the Al-Qaeda Monitoring Team for the UN, described Mujahid's story of his background in Afghanistan, his return to Yemen and his involvement with AQAP as "credible".
The attack on the U.S. Embassy in 2008 was funded by Saleh's nephew and Al Qaeda leaders had close relationships with him. The informant also gave critical intelligence on terrorist movements, attacks and leaders but no action was taken.
Education
Having received only a modest formal education, Ali Abdullah Saleh gained significant military training and political acumen through his rise within the Yemeni army and later as a political leader. His ability to navigate Yemen's complex tribal and political structures was aided more by practical experience than formal education.
Saleh received his primary education at Ma'alama village before leaving to join the Royal (North Yemeni) Armed Forces in 1958 as an infantry soldier and was admitted to the Royal Military Academy in 1960. Three years later, in 1963, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in armoured corps.
He participated in the Nasserist-inspired military coup of 1962, which was instrumental in the removal of King Muhammad al-Badr and the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic, beside that he wasn't an Nasserist. During the North Yemen Civil War, he attained the rank of major by 1969.
He received further training as a staff officer in the Higher Command and staff C Course in Iraq, between 1970 and 1971, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He became a full colonel in 1976 and was given command of a mechanised brigade. In 1977, the President of North Yemen, Ahmad al-Ghashmi, appointed him as military governor of Taiz.
