Meet Asma, the glamourous and beautiful wife of Bashar al- Assad, studied in London, had worked in bank

Asma played a key role in shaping Assad’s image as a moderate reformer. In 2005, she launched an organisation to encourage Syrian youth to embrace "active citizenship."

Syria’s civil war, lasting nearly 15 years, has finally ended. President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted from power. Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled Damascus, marking the end of his rule after over a decade of brutal civil war. Rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have made major gains, leaving the capital vulnerable and signaling the collapse of Assad’s once-strong government. This shift in power reflects the fall of a family dynasty that has shaped Syria’s fate for more than 50 years, with Assad being the “last standing” member.

Often described as “a dictator without a dictator,” Assad’s power didn’t come from his leadership, but from the unwavering support of his close family members – his brother Maher, a fierce military leader; his sister Bushra, known as “the Iron Lady,” along with her husband Asef Shawkat, a key intelligence figure; and his wife Asma al-Assad.

As Assad flees, the united front once held by his family is now beginning to crumble. Here, we take a closer look at his wife, who has played a significant role in his regime.

About Asma al-Assad

Assad’s wife, Asma al-Assad, has largely stayed away from the limelight. Known for her beauty and intellect, Asma married Bashar al-Assad in 2000. Before their marriage, she worked as an investment banker at JP Morgan. Asma is also a cancer survivor.

The London-born first lady, once described as a “rose in the desert”, is at the heart of the shadowy inner circle of president Bashar al-Assad.

Asma was born in London in 1975 to a Syrian diplomatic family. Her parents are Sunni Muslims and of Syrian origin, from the city of Homs – a major city which is now also under the control of rebels. She studied at Queen’s College in London and later graduated from King’s College London with degrees in Computer Science and French Literature.

The couple have three children: Hafez, named after President Assad’s father Hafez al-Assad, (2001), daughter Zein (2003), and Karim (2004). In January 2013, Bashar stated in an interview that Asma was pregnant, however, there were no later reports of them having a fourth child.

As the Syrian conflict began, Asma moved to London with her children. It is believed that she still lives there. Syria has been suffering from violence for almost 15 years.

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