Aung San Suu Kyi

Date of Birth: June 19, 1945

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Aung San Suu Kyi, born on June 19, 1945, in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (now Myanmar), is a renowned political leader, activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She is the daughter of Aung San, a hero of Burmese independence, and Khin Kyi, a prominent diplomat. Suu Kyi spent many of her early years abroad, studying in India and the United Kingdom, where she graduated from the University of Oxford. In 1988, she returned to Myanmar to care for her ailing mother and soon became deeply involved in the country’s pro-democracy movement. She co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD) and quickly became its leader. Her advocacy for democracy and non-violent resistance earned her widespread admiration, but it also led to years of house arrest by the military government. Despite her long periods of detention, Aung San Suu Kyi continued to inspire millions around the world with her unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights. In 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize while under house arrest. She was finally released in 2010 and subsequently elected to parliament in 2012. Suu Kyi’s political career has been marked by both commendation and criticism. As the de facto leader of Myanmar’s civilian government from 2016 to 2021, she faced severe international backlash over her handling of the Rohingya crisis. In February 2021, she was detained again following a military coup.

5 Interesting Facts about Aung San Suu Kyi

1. Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest multiple times for a total of about 15 years between 1989 and 2010.

2. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, but she only delivered her acceptance speech in 2012.

3. Her father, Aung San, is considered the founding father of modern-day Myanmar.

4. Aung San Suu Kyi spent her university years at the University of Delhi and the University of Oxford.

5. She was the first State Counsellor of Myanmar, a role created to enable her to serve as the de facto head of government despite constitutional barriers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Aung San Suu Kyi

1. “It is not power that corrupts, but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.”

2. “The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear.”

3. “Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.”

4. “If you are feeling helpless, help someone.”

5. “To be forgotten, is to die a little.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Aung San Suu Kyi’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but it is generally considered to be modest compared to many global political figures, largely due to her long periods of house arrest and her focus on political activism over personal wealth accumulation.