Who Is Robert Bales? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Robert Bales is 51 years old, having been born on June 30, 1973. He became widely known as an American mass murderer due to his involvement in a tragic event that occurred during his deployment in Afghanistan. His actions had significant ramifications, leading to public outcry and debates concerning military conduct.
| Occupation | Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 30, 1973 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Norwood, Ohio, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Robert Bales's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Current details regarding Robert Bales’s height and weight are not publicized in recent years, as he has been primarily out of the limelight since his sentencing in 2013. However, at the time of his trial, he was reported to be approximately 6 feet tall. His physical measurements have not been a point of discussion in recent articles.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
After his conviction, Robert Bales's personal life became a topic of public fascination. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Kareen Bales, with whom he shares three children. Despite the circumstances surrounding his actions, Kareen stood by him during the trial, which has raised questions about the dynamics of their relationship.
In 2003, Bales met his later to be wife, Kari Primeau, while she was at a bar supporting her friend's band. Kari states that Bales was a man "full of enthusiasm, eager to tell her every little thing he was learning about war and how to wage it," until he deployed to Iraq. Their relationship grew serious while he was overseas.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Robert Bales's net worth remains largely unknown due to the nature of his imprisonment and the lack of reported earnings. Historically, individuals in similar situations often have limited financial opportunities, leading to speculation that his earnings have been negligible since his conviction. Furthermore, the legal fees associated with his defense may have greatly impacted any potential financial assets.
After leaving college, Bales worked as a stockbroker at five financial services firms in Columbus, Ohio. The firms were related, sharing employees and corporate offices. During that period, while employed with Michael Patterson, Inc., Bales and the firm engaged in fraudulent securities activities.
In 2003, an arbitration panel found both Bales and his employer liable for financial fraud related to the handling of a retirement account and ordered them to pay $1.2 million in civil damages. Gary Liebschner, the victim, said he "never got paid a penny" of the award.
According to Liebschner's lawyer, they had not pursued legal action against Bales to collect the judgment because they were unable to locate Bales, who had joined the U.S. Army at age 28, just 18 months after the long-running arbitration case was filed.
Career, Business and Investments
Prior to the events that led to his incarceration, Robert Bales was an active member of the U.S. Army. His military career and subsequent actions generated extensive media coverage and legal scrutiny. Following his conviction, he has been removed from the public eye, and there are no reports of career endeavors or business investments during his time in prison.
In May 1999, while still employed with a securities firm in Ohio, Bales, his brother Mark, and Marc Edwards co-founded a financial services firm named Spartina Investments in Doral, Florida. The state dissolved Spartina in September 2000, after the company failed to file its annual report in a timely manner.
Social Network
Due to his criminal history and ongoing incarceration, Robert Bales maintains a very low profile in social networks. There are limited public engagements or social media interactions, and any instance of online presence would likely be managed by family or supporters. This distance from social media reflects his need for privacy in light of the controversies surrounding his case.
In the early morning hours of March 11, 2012, Bales killed 16 Afghan civilians (nine children, some as young as two years old, four women and three men) in the villages of Balandi and Alkozai in the Panjwayi District of Kandahar Province near Camp Belambai.
According to official reports, Bales left combat outpost Camp Belamby at 3:00 am local time wearing night vision goggles. Bales was wearing traditional Afghan clothing over his ACU. Government officials with knowledge of the investigation state that the killings were carried out in two phases, with Bales returning to base in between.
An Afghan guard reported a soldier returning to base at 1:30 am, and another guard reported a soldier leaving at 2:30 am. Bales is believed to have first gone to Alkozai, about 1/2 mi north of Camp Belambay, then to Najiban (called Balandi in earlier reports), located 1+1/2 mi south of the base.
Four people were killed and six wounded in Alkozai, and twelve people were killed in Najiban. U.S. sentries at the base heard gunshots in Alkozai, but did not take action besides attempting to view Alkozai from their post inside the base. Until March 22, U.S.
authorities recognized 16 people killed, including nine children, four men, and three women. On March 22 that number was revised to 17, but later reduced back to 16. It was initially reported that five others were injured, and that number was eventually increased to six.
Education
Robert Bales attended several educational institutions throughout his life, including completing necessary military training as part of his Army career. His early education was in high school and proceeded through various military training programs, but details pertaining to higher education have not been disclosed publicly.
He attended Norwood High School where he played football and was named class president. After high school Bales briefly enrolled at College of Mount St. Joseph, then transferred to Ohio State University, where he studied economics for three years, but left without graduating in 1996.
