Who Is Gulbuddin Hekmatyar? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar was born on August 1, 1949, in the Afghan province of Kunduz. As of 2025, he is 75 years old. A prominent figure in Afghanistan's tumultuous political scene, Hekmatyar is best known as a key leader of the Hezb-e Islami party. His life has been marked by significant involvement in the Afghan jihad against Soviet occupation in the 1980s as well as his controversial role in post-2001 Afghanistan. Hekmatyar's biography showcases a complex character, with an extensive history in politics, warfare, and even drug trafficking. For an in-depth look, visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1949 |
| Age | 75 Years |
| Birth Place | Imam Sahib District, Kingdom of Afghanistan |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Afghanistan |
Popularity
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific height and weight measurements for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar may not be widely documented, his appearance portrays an individual of average stature common among men of his generation in Afghanistan.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s personal life is relatively private. He has been previously married and has several children. As of 2025, there is limited information regarding his current relationship status or whether he has a girlfriend or partner. His devotion to family remains noteworthy, reflecting the cultural importance of familial ties in Afghan society.
His father, Ghulam Qader, who migrated to Kunduz, is originally from the Ghazni province. Afghan businessman and Kharoti tribal leader Gholam Serwar Nasher deemed Hekmatyar to be a bright young man and sent him to the Mahtab Qala military academy in 1968, but he was expelled due to his political views two years later.
From 1969 to 1972, Hekmatyar attended Kabul University's engineering department. During his first year at the university he wrote a 149-page book entitled The Priority of Sense Over Matter, where he refutes communists denying the existence of God by quoting European philosophers and scientists like Hegel or Francesco Redi.
Though he did not complete his degree, his followers still address him as "Engineer Hekmatyar".
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, estimates of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's net worth vary significantly due to the secretive nature of his financial dealings and the controversies surrounding his past, including alleged drug trafficking. Reports indicate that his net worth could range from millions to possibly higher amounts, factoring in his political stature, former influence, and various business ventures.
Career, Business and Investments
Hekmatyar's career spans decades of political and military engagement, particularly during the Soviet-Afghan War, where he was a major commander. After the fall of the Taliban regime, he shifted focus towards political undertakings, establishing himself as a significant player in Afghan politics once again. In recent years, Hekmatyar has also engaged in various business ventures, although specifics regarding his investments remain scarce.
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar (born 1 August 1949) is an Afghan politician, and former mujahideen leader and drug trafficker. He is the founder and current leader of the Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin political party, so called after Mohammad Yunus Khalis split from Hezbi Islami in 1979 to found Hezb-i Islami Khalis. He twice served as prime minister during the 1990s.
Social Network
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is known for his limited presence on social media platforms, primarily relying on interviews and public statements to communicate with supporters. His following includes a significant number of affiliated individuals and Afghan citizens aligned with his ideologies.
Author Peter Bergen states that "by the most conservative estimates, $600 million" in American aid through Pakistan "went to the Hizb party ...
Hekmatyar's party had the dubious distinction of never winning a significant battle during the war, training a variety of militant Islamists from around the world, killing significant numbers of mujahideen from other parties, and taking a virulently anti-Western line.
In addition to hundreds of millions of dollars of American aid, Hekmatyar also received the lion's share of aid from the Saudis." Hekmatyar's constant scheming against all of the mujahideen factions led Pakistani general and leader Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq to warn Hekmatyar that it was Pakistan that made him an Afghan leader and that Pakistan could and
would destroy him if he resisted operational control by ISI.
Education
Hekmatyar is known to have pursued education in Afghanistan, with reports suggesting he studied engineering before becoming involved in politics and armed struggle. His early education played a role in shaping his political and military strategies.
During his years in university, Hekmatyar joined the Sazman-i Jawanan-i Musulman ("Organization of Muslim Youth") which was gaining influence because of its opposition to the Soviet influence in Afghanistan increasing through the PDPA elements in Daoud's government. He was one of the foundational members of the organization.
He may have also been influenced by the ideological teachings of Muslim Brotherhood member Sayyid Qutb. By his own account he became an Islamist when he heard of Qutb's death in 1966, on radio, and also contradicts that he was a communist during his youth.
Although some believe that Hekmatyar threw acid at multiple female students, others have attributed this claim to the Soviet KGB's black propaganda. Hekmatyar's radicalism put him in confrontation with elements in the Muslim Youth surrounding Ahmad Shah Massoud, also an engineering student at Kabul University.
In 1975, trying to assassinate a rival for the second time in three years, Hekmatyar with Pakistani help tried to assassinate Massoud, then 22 years old, but failed.
In 1975, the "Islamic Society" split between supporters of Massoud and Burhanuddin Rabbani, who led the Jamiat-e Islami, and elements surrounding Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who then founded the Hezb-i Islami. Akbarzadeh and Yasmeen describe Hekmatyar's approach as "radical" and antagonistic as opposed to an "inclusive" and "moderate" strategy by Rabbani.
