Who Is Karim Bukele? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Karim Bukele was born on March 10, 1986, making him 39 years old in 2025. He is a prominent Salvadoran businessman and politician known for his innovative approach to governance and business practices. As the brother of the current President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, Karim has carved out a respectable niche for himself in both the business and political arenas. His efforts have often been aimed at nurturing economic growth and encouraging entrepreneurship in El Salvador.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 10, 1986 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | El Salvador |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | El Salvador |
Popularity
Karim Bukele's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements may not be widely publicized, Karim Bukele is reported to be approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm). His weight is estimated to be around 180 lbs (82 kg). His athletic build showcases his active lifestyle and commitment to maintaining health through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Karim Bukele remains tight-lipped about his personal relationships. However, it is publicly known that he is dating a prominent figure in the Salvadoran business community. Their relationship has garnered attention due to their shared interests in entrepreneurship and community development. Details about past or current romantic partners remain relatively private, reflecting his preference for keeping his personal life away from the limelight.
His father was Armando Bukele Kattán and his mother is Olga Marina Ortez. Karim has an older brother, Nayib, and two younger twin brothers, Yusef and Ibrajim. In addition, Bukele also has four half-sisters and two half-brothers from his father's side of the family.
Net Worth and Salary
Karim Bukele's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $15 million as of 2025. His earnings primarily derive from his ventures in business, investments in technology startups, and involvement in several philanthropic initiatives that aim to uplift entrepreneurial spirit among Salvadorans. His strategic investments, particularly in tech and finance, have also contributed to his overall wealth.
After Nayib assumed office on 1 June 2019, Bukele was not named as one of Nayib's 16 cabinet members, however, Bukele became one of Nayib's most important presidential advisors. The Salvadoran digital newspaper El Faro describes Bukele as a "political strategist and speechwriter" who "define[s] the direction of the presidency".
In their 2023 book The Oligarchs' Grip: Fusing Wealth and Power, David Lingelbach and Valentina Rodríguez Guerra described Bukele as Nayib's "chief of staff".
In April 2020, Fabio Castillo, a former secretary of the FMLN, stated that Bukele is "the only one who can have influence [over Nayib]" ("el único que puede tener influencia [sobre Nayib]"), that he is "more intelligent than the president" ("más inteligente que el presidente"), and that he has "an incredible influence over the affairs of the stat
e that [he] should not have" ("una influencia increíble en los asuntos del estado que no [debería] tener").
Career, Business, and Investments
Karim Bukele's career is marked by a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. He has been involved in various businesses across different sectors, including technology, real estate, and finance. His most notable projects include investments in fintech companies that aim to improve financial accessibility for underserved communities in El Salvador. Additionally, he is a member of several boards and committees promoting economic growth through sustainable practices.
In 2006, Bukele, Andrés García, Ernesto Castro, and Bukele's older brother Nayib co-founded Sociedad 503 S.A. de C.V., a company which operates restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. In April 2012, Bukele became the president of Obermet S.A. de C.V. (also known as 4am Saatchi & Saatchi El Salvador) and as its CEO since 2014.
He was also one of the company's legal representatives. Bukele was the CEO of Global Motors, S.A de C.V. until 20 July 2017 when he was succeeded by his brother Ibrajim. In October 2023, the El Faro digital newspaper alleged that Global Motors, S.A de C.V.
secretly received 16 checks from the Banco Hipotecario amounting to US$118,143.23 from 2017 to 2019. El Faro alleged that the checks came from then-President Salvador Sánchez Cerén's supposed black budget.
Social Network
Karim Bukele maintains a significant presence on social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. He actively shares insights about entrepreneurship, economic development, and social initiatives. His online persona reflects his committed approach to engaging with the youth of El Salvador and fostering an environment conducive to business growth.
Bukele accompanied Nayib on his presidential visit to China in December 2019. The Chinese government considered Bukele an important figure during the presidential visit, and Chinese ambassador to El Salvador Ou Jianhong personally thanked Bukele on Twitter for his "valuable work and important contributions".
Education
Karim Bukele holds a degree in Business Administration from a prestigious university in El Salvador. His educational background, combined with his practical experiences in business, has equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the complex economic landscape of the country. He continues to advocate for improved educational resources in El Salvador, understanding the importance of education in driving future economic success.
As he did in 2015, Bukele was Nayib's campaign manager during the 2019 presidential election. Nayib ran his campaign with the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA).
In December 2018, after Nayib accused the Supreme Electoral Court of fraud by refusing to change GANA's color from orange to blue on the electoral ballot (as it had recently changed its official color), Bukele stated that "it is not just the color, the people know how to vote for the swallow, but when are they [the TSE] going to stop" ("No es solo
el color, si la gente sabe bien cómo votar por la golondrina, si no cuándo van a parar").
After Nayib refused to participate in the first presidential debate, Bukele stated that Nayib would not attend as there was no guarantee by the University of El Salvador, the organizers of the debate, that the debate would be impartial.
Juan José Figueroa, a campaign advisor for Hugo Martínez of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), called Bukele and Nayib "liars and cowards" ("mentirosos y cobardes") for refusing to attend the debate. On election day, Nayib won 53 percent of the vote, an outright majority, in the first round.
