Who Is Zacarias Moussaoui? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Zacarias Moussaoui is 57 years old. His life story has been marked by tumult and tragedy, transitioning from a young man in France to a convicted terrorist in the United States. Moussaoui was arrested in August 2001 and later became the first person in the U.S. to be tried and convicted in relation to the September 11 attacks. His life experiences have led to significant media coverage and public scrutiny.
Occupation | Criminals |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 30, 1968 |
Age | 57 Years |
Birth Place | Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France |
Horoscope | Gemini |
Country | France |
Popularity
Zacarias Moussaoui's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements of Moussaoui are not frequently discussed in public forums, he is often described as having an average build for a man of his height. His physical stats include:
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
- Weight: Around 175 lbs (79 kg)
- Measurements: Specific body measurements are not publicly available.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Zacarias Moussaoui has largely kept his personal life private, especially regarding relationships. As of 2025, there are no known details about a boyfriend or girlfriend. Given the nature of his incarceration and the notoriety surrounding his actions, it is unlikely that he has been engaged in romantic relationships during his time in prison. His focus has been more on legal battles and addressing the consequences of his actions.
On 3 May 2006, a jury decided against the death penalty for Moussaoui. The next day, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As he was led out of the courtroom, Moussaoui clapped his hands and said, "America, you lost ...
I won." Judge Brinkema responded by telling him that he would "die with a whimper" and "never get a chance to speak again". In giving their reasoning against recommending the death penalty, most jurors referenced Moussaoui having an "unstable early childhood and dysfunctional family" and problems with his parents.
Three jurors also wrote that they believed Moussaoui had only limited knowledge of the September 11 plot.
Net Worth and Salary
Moussaoui's financial status as of 2025 remains largely undisclosed, and it is unclear whether he possesses any net worth in a traditional sense. Given his imprisonment and the criminal nature of his history, conventional earnings or investments would not apply to his situation. His past involvement with Al-Qaeda, which was linked to terrorism and not economic ventures, suggests that he does not have a significant financial legacy.
Moussaoui allegedly received US$14,000 in wire transfers from bin al-Shibh, originating from Düsseldorf and Hamburg, Germany, in early August. This money could have helped him pay for flight training he took about two weeks later at Pan-Am International Flight Academy in Eagan, Minnesota.
On August 13, Moussaoui paid US$6,800 with US$100 bills to receive training in a 747-400 simulator. The simulator that Pan-Am uses is operated by Northwest Aerospace Training Corporation (NATCO), a training facility affiliated with Northwest Airlines.
Moussaoui was reportedly considered as a replacement for Ziad Jarrah, who at one point threatened to withdraw from the scheme because of tensions amongst the plotters. Plans to include Moussaoui were never completed because the al-Qaeda hierarchy allegedly had doubts about his reliability.
Career, Business and Investments
Zacarias Moussaoui's "career" has been predominantly associated with his criminal activities linked to Al-Qaeda rather than legitimate business pursuits. Enrolled in radical Islamist groups during his youth, he received training in various locations. His time in the U.S. before his arrest was marked by erratic behavior and an ideology that led him to pursue violent extremism. Due to his imprisonment, he has not engaged in any business ventures or investments and faces significant legal restrictions.
Moussaoui has been known by other names, reportedly including Abu Khaled al Sahrawi and Shaquil while he was in Oklahoma. He holds a master's degree in International Business from South Bank University in London, having enrolled in 1993 and graduated in 1995.
He attended, amongst others, the Brixton Mosque, where he may have met Richard Reid, the future shoe bomber. He was proselytised by groups such as al-Muhajiroun ("the Emigrants"), who leafleted people attending moderate mosques such as that in Brixton.
It is possible that he had connections with members of the Finsbury Park mosque, where the extremist Abu Hamza al-Masri taught.
Social Network
Moussaoui has not utilized any social media platforms commonly available to the public, as his incarceration prohibits such interaction. Additionally, social networks today reflect a significant change from the early 2000s, indicating that even if he were free, his views and history would likely prevent him from having a supportive online presence.
During the trial, Moussaoui initially stated that he was not involved in the September 11 attacks, but that he was planning an attack of his own. Some al-Qaeda members reportedly corroborated Moussaoui's statement saying that he was involved in a plot other than September 11, but prosecutors believed that his story had no merit.
On 3 April 2006, Moussaoui was found to be eligible for the death penalty. Before leaving the courtroom, he was reported to have shouted, "You will never get my blood. God curse you all!"
Education
Moussaoui's education was indicative of a troubled youth. He attended schools in France, where he was known to have a conflict with authority figures. His desire for radical beliefs overshadowed any academic pursuits, leading him to a path that ultimately culminated in global infamy. He studied at a university in the United States but did not complete his degree program before being arrested.
Moussaoui's trial was seen in some circles as a barometer of the ability and willingness of the United States to give a fair hearing to terrorism suspects. Others objected to the degree to which the court and especially Judge Leonie Brinkema tolerated the bizarre and threatening courtroom behavior of Moussaoui.
Moussaoui expressed contempt for the trial and court by introducing legal motions deriding Judge Brinkema, surprised onlookers by electing to represent himself in court, and rankled federal prosecutors by requesting the presence of captured al-Qaeda members as witnesses in his case.