Who Is Ashraf Ghani? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on May 19, 1949, Ashraf Ghani is a prominent Afghan politician and academic who served as the President of Afghanistan from 2014 to 2021. He was born in Logar Province, Afghanistan, and has made significant contributions to the country's political landscape throughout his life. After fleeing Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, Ghani pursued an education in the United States, ultimately earning his PhD from Johns Hopkins University. In 2025, he is 75 years old and continues to be a notable figure in discussions regarding Afghanistan's future.
| Occupation | Anthropologist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1949 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Logar, then part of the Kingdom of Afghanistan |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Afghanistan |
Popularity
Ashraf Ghani's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements for Ashraf Ghani may not be widely documented, he is known for his slender physique and stands approximately around 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. His weight is typically reported to be around 150 lbs (68 kg), carefully maintained throughout his public life.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Ashraf Ghani is married to Rula Ghani, a prominent figure in her own right. Rula has served as the First Lady of Afghanistan and is known for her advocacy in education and women's rights. The couple has two children, making family an essential part of Ghani's life. There are no reports of any romantic relationships outside of marriage, affirming his commitment to his family.
In 2014, Ghani became president after winning the controversial 2014 Afghan presidential election. The election was so disputed that negotiations between Ghani and rival Abdullah Abdullah were mediated by the United States. Ghani became president and Abdullah chief executive, with power split 50-50.
On 18 February 2020, Ghani was re-elected after a delayed result from the 2019 presidential elections. He was sworn in on 9 March 2020. As president, Ghani was known for his intensity and energetic speeches. He aimed to transform Afghanistan into a technocratic state, winning him support from youth and urban demographics.
His cabinets were relatively young and well-educated. Ghani made efforts to make peace with Taliban insurgents and improving relations with Pakistan. However many of his promises, such as fighting corruption and turning the country into a trade hub between Central and South Asia, were left unfulfilled.
His position was also weakened by political rivalries, his attempt to lessen the power of ex-warlords, and an uneasy relationship with the United States regarding the war. He was also criticized for being aloof and short-tempered, including being in denial during the Taliban's offensive in 2021.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Ashraf Ghani’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. During his presidency, he earned a modest salary compared to other world leaders, which has contributed to his relatively stable financial status. His net worth encompasses income from his academic endeavours, consultations, and any investments made throughout his career.
He carried out extensive reforms, including issuing a new currency, computerizing treasury operations, instituting a single treasury account, adopting a policy of balanced budgets and using budgets as the central policy instrument, centralizing revenue collection, tariff reform and overhauling customs.
He instituted regular reporting to the cabinet, the public and international stakeholders as a tool of transparency and accountability, and required donors to focus their interventions on three sectors, improving accountability with government counterparts and preparing a development strategy that held Afghans more accountable for their own future
development.
He assisted with the National Solidarity Program, which covered 13,000 of the country's estimated 20,000 villages.
Career, Business, and Investments
Before transitioning into politics, Ashraf Ghani had a distinguished academic career. He worked with the World Bank and served as an adviser to various international organizations. His most notable achievement was his role as the Minister of Finance under President Hamid Karzai, where he worked to modernize Afghanistan's economy. Since leaving office in 2021, Ghani has pursued various initiatives aimed at fostering peace and development in the region, alongside potential investments in educational and humanitarian projects.
In 1991, Ghani became the Lead Anthropologist at the World Bank. During this time, he spent five years working in China, India, and Russia working on various projects. After the mid-nineties, he switched to working on the Bank's social policy, reviewing country strategies, and designing reform programs.
While working for the Bank, he attended the leadership training programs of Harvard-INSEAD and World Bank-Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Social Network
Ashraf Ghani maintains a presence on various social media platforms, where he engages with followers and shares insights about Afghanistan's political landscape. His official accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn offer glimpses into his thoughts on governance, development, and international relations, making him accessible to both supporters and critics alike.
He left his job at the World Bank and joined the United Nations as Special Adviser to Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy to Afghanistan. In this role, he worked on design and implementation of the Bonn Agreement, which outlined the post-Taliban government of Afghanistan.
During this time, he also worked pro bono as Chief Adviser to then-interim president Hamid Karzai. He approved the constitution and worked on preparing the Loya Jirgas that eventually elected Karzai.
Education
Ghani's educational background is extensive. He completed his undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut, followed by a master's degree from Columbia University. He later earned a PhD in Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University, focusing on the history and culture of Afghanistan. His educational credentials played a crucial role in shaping his approach to governance and policy-making.
After his grade-school education in Afghanistan, he spent much of his time abroad, studying in Lebanon and the United States. After receiving his PhD in cultural anthropology from Columbia University in 1983, he taught at various institutions and was an associate professor of anthropology at Johns Hopkins University.
For much of the 1990s, he worked at the World Bank. In December 2001, he returned to Afghanistan after the collapse of the Taliban government. He then served as finance minister in Hamid Karzai's cabinet. He resigned in December 2004 to become the dean of Kabul University.
In 2009, Ghani ran in the 2009 Afghan presidential election but came in fourth.
