Who Is Gust Avrakotos? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Gust Avrakotos was born on January 14, 1938, and he passed away on April 21, 2005. As of 2025, he would have been 87 years old. Avrakotos is best remembered for his pivotal role in the CIA during the Soviet-Afghan War. His innovative methods and commitment to his country left a profound impact on intelligence operations and the geopolitical landscape of the time. He was not just an intelligence officer but also a charismatic figure who inspired many within the agency.
| Occupation | Other |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 14, 1938 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 1 December, 2005 |
| Died Place | Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. |
Popularity
Gust Avrakotos's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Gust Avrakotos was known for his commanding presence. Though specific details regarding his height and weight have not been widely documented, his stature was often noted to be above average, which contributed to his authoritative presence in the intelligence community.
Avrakotos joined the CIA in August 1962 and was posted to Greece in 1963. Following the 1967 Greek coup d'état and the establishment of a far-right military junta, Avrakotos became the main liaison point for the CIA and Greek government. He worked closely with the regime until 1978, when he returned to a U.S. posting.
He worked on the CIA's Near East desk, which included oversight of the agency's work in Afghanistan. The following year he became acting Chief of the South Asia Operations Group, which included involvement in Operation Cyclone, the CIA program to arm and finance the Afghan mujahideen in their war against the Soviets.
He acquired arms and ammunition from numerous sources, and worked with U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson to build a coalition of international supporters to fund, arm and train the mujahideen.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Regarding his personal life, Gust Avrakotos was married to his wife, Cynthia Avrakotos, for many years until his passing. The couple shared a supportive partnership throughout Avrakotos's tumultuous career in the CIA. While specific details about his dating life prior to marriage are limited, it is clear that Avrakotos valued family and cultivated strong relationships with his loved ones.
"had all started off life as peasants before joining the army, and they felt a kinship with this charismatic, working-class American whose parents had come from Lemnos. They could speak Greek with him. He drank and whored with them, and they knew from the heart that he shared their ferocious anti-Communism."
Net Worth and Salary
Gust Avrakotos's net worth before his death has been estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars when considering his career in the CIA and various business ventures. However, precise figures are difficult to confirm, given the secretive nature of intelligence work. His salary as a senior intelligence officer would have reflected his high-ranking position within the CIA, though exact numbers remain undisclosed.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Avrakotos interviewed for a position at IBM when one of his professors, Richard Cottam, who had also worked at the Central Intelligence Agency, suggested he meet with a CIA interviewer. Although the salary was only a third he could have earned at IBM, Avrakotos joined the CIA on August 1, 1962.
Career, Business, and Investments
Avrakotos began his career with the CIA in the 1960s and was actively involved in various crucial operations. His most notable achievement came during the Soviet-Afghan War, where he played a significant role in orchestrating support for Afghan mujahideen fighters against Soviet forces. After his retirement, he contributed to various consultancy roles and often shared his insights on intelligence and national security. His career in the public and private sectors made him a sought-after figure for lectures and discussions on international relations and covert operations.
Avrakotos resigned from the CIA in 1989 after being moved to the CIA's Africa Division, and authoring a memorandum opposing the CIA's involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair. After working for defense contractor TRW Inc. and then News Corporation, he returned to the CIA as a contractor between 1997 and 2003.
Social Network
Although Gust Avrakotos passed away in 2005, his legacy continues to resonate. His contributions to intelligence work and the stories surrounding his career have been chronicled in books and articles. Social media platforms may not have direct accounts associated with him, given the nature of his work, but discussions and tributes to his legacy can be found across various forums and Pages dedicated to historical figures in intelligence and espionage.
Avrakotos was little known to the public until 2003 when journalist George Crile published Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History, a history of U.S. involvement in the Soviet–Afghan War. The book was the basis of the film Charlie Wilson's War, released in 2007, in which Avrakotos is portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Education
Gust Avrakotos pursued his education with a focus on political science and international relations. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and later received multiple training sessions and intelligence assessments during his time in the CIA. His education and hands-on experiences equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the complex world of espionage and national security.
The couple also had a daughter. He attended Aliquippa High School, where he graduated in 1955 as valedictorian. He then attended college at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (CIT); he briefly worked at Jones and Laughlin Steel mill in Aliquippa to earn money for his studies but left CIT after two years because of a strain on family finances.
