Who Is Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was born on June 29, 1957, making him 67 years old as of 2025. He is a prominent Turkmen politician known for serving as the President of Turkmenistan since 2007. His tenure has been characterized by a strong grip on power and efforts to maintain Turkmenistan's neutrality on the global stage. Before his presidency, he distinguished himself in various government roles, including that of a health minister. Over the years, his administration has been marked by an emphasis on national identity and economic development.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 29, 1957 |
| Age | 68 Years |
| Birth Place | Babarap, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country |
Popularity
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific figures relating to Berdimuhamedow's height and weight are not publicly documented, he is known to carry a commanding presence that reflects his status as a national leader. His stature is complemented by his formal attire, often seen in traditional Turkmen dress as well as Western suits during international visits.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow is married to his wife, Ogulabat Berdimuhamedow. They have a family together, including several children. While details about his personal life are somewhat private, he has often been seen with his family during state events, reinforcing the image of a traditional family man. As for dating status, there is no public information suggesting any romantic relationships outside of his marriage.
Berdimuhamedow stepped down as president on 19 March 2022, being succeeded by his son, Serdar, who won a snap election deemed as neither free nor fair, making Turkmenistan the first Central Asian country to be ruled by a dynastic system in modern times.
The People's Council was subsequently re-formed as the country's top leadership body in January 2023, with Serdar then reappointing his father as its chairman and granting him the title "National Leader of the Turkmen People".
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's net worth is estimated to be around several million dollars, largely attributed to his long-standing political career. His salary as the President of Turkmenistan is not publicly disclosed; however, it is known that the salary of heads of state can be substantial, considering the nature of his political role and authority in the country.
He was appointed to the government as Minister of Health in 1997. In 2001 he was appointed as one of several deputy chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers (also referred to as Deputy Prime Minister, despite the lack of a Prime Ministerial post in Turkmenistan), in this case responsible for health, science, education, and sports.
In April 2004, Nyýazow suspended Berdimuhamedow's salary for three months because healthcare workers were not being paid.
Career, Business and Investments
Berdimuhamedow's political career has largely defined his professional life. He has implemented numerous economic reforms and has also focused on sustaining Turkmenistan's vast natural gas reserves. Under his leadership, there have been active efforts to attract foreign investment in the energy sector, diversifying the economy. However, details regarding any personal business ventures remain scarce due to the political environment in Turkmenistan.
Berdimuhamedow graduated from the Turkmen State Medical Institute in 1979 and entered a career in dentistry. He also received a PhD in medical sciences in Moscow. By 1992 he had become part of the dentistry faculty at the Medical Institute. In 1995, during the rule of Saparmyrat Nyýazow, he became head of the dentistry center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry.
Social Network
On social media, Berdimuhamedow maintains a low-profile presence. Turkmenistan itself limits the use of social media within its borders. However, he is featured prominently in state-run media outlets, which showcase his national initiatives and public engagements. While he might not engage directly with platforms such as Twitter or Facebook, state media play a crucial role in shaping his public image.
Like his predecessor, Berdimuhamedow headed an authoritarian regime and is the subject of a cult of personality. Rights groups have described Turkmenistan under Berdimuhamedow as one of the most repressive countries in the world, accusing Berdimuhamedow, his relatives, and his associates of possessing and exercising unlimited power over all aspects of public life.
Education
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow pursued higher education at the Turkmen State Medical Institute, where he received a degree in medicine. His educational background in health care has significantly influenced his early career in public service and governance, laying the groundwork for his later roles within the Turkmen government.
After taking office, Berdimuhamedow reversed several of Nyýazow's more eccentric policies.
Internet cafés offering free and uncensored web access opened in Ashgabat, compulsory education was extended from nine to ten years and classes in sports and foreign languages were re-introduced into the curriculum, and the government announced plans to open several specialised schools for the arts.
He called for reform of education, health care and pension systems, and government officials of non-Turkmen ethnic origin who had been sacked by Nyýazow were allowed to return to work. He also restored the pensions of 100,000 elderly people whose pensions Nyýazow had slashed in the face of an unspecified budget crisis.
Later on, he reopened the Turkmen Academy of Sciences, which had been closed by Nyýazow. In 2015, work on TAPI began under his government.
