Who is he?:
Egypt's president from 1981, when, as vice president, he took the reins of the government following the assassination of Anwar Sadat, to 2011, when he stepped down in the face of intense anti-government protests. The fourth Egyptian president came under criticism for human rights and a lack of democratic institutions in the nation, but was also seen by many as a necessary ally who has kept extremists at bay in that critical region.
Birthdate:
Born May 4, 1928, north of Cairo in Monufia governorate, where Sadat was also born.
Personal life:
Married to Egyptian-Welsh Suzanne Mubarak. They have two sons: Alaa, a businessman not involved in politics; and Gamal, a banker who has reportedly been groomed to succeed his father.
Political affiliation:
Chairman of the National Democratic Party, an authoritarian, nationalist and socialist political party established by Sadat. It had been the ruling, uncontested party in Egypt since its 1978 creation. It was dissolved by court order two months after Mubarak left office.
Career:
Mubarak went into the military from high school, and was commander of the Egyptian Air Force from 1972 to 1975, when he became vice president to President Anwar Sadat. After Sadat's 1981 assassination, Mubarak became president and chairman of the National Democratic Party. He's survived at least six assassination attempts as president. He won referendums approving new terms in 1987, 1993 and 1999. He allowed multiparty presidential elections for the first time in 2005; his overwhelming victory and international observations led to charges of vote rigging and voting irregularities.
Future:
Even though he was Sadat's vice president, Mubarak did not appoint a vice president until more than 29 years into his rule, when protests sparked by the overthrow of another longtime ruler in Tunisia led to the overthrow of his heavy-handed rule. The former president faces charges of ordering security personnel to kill protesters, and if convicted could receive the death penalty. He suffered a stroke a month before trial and fell into a coma; his health had been declining in recent months.
Quote:
“The people gave me the responsibility of building the future of this nation. And I did it with honor.”