Once celebrated as Syria’s glamorous first lady, Asma al-Assad’s image has drastically shifted amid the civil war and allegations of complicity in war crimes.
London: Back in 2011, American Vogue painted Asma al-Assad as a glamorous figure, calling her “a rose in the desert.” They were all about her looks and charm, describing her as the most captivating first lady. Fast forward a decade, and she’s now got some pretty grim nicknames like Lady Macbeth and “the First Lady of Hell.”
Initially, she seemed like a positive influence, focusing on charity and youth empowerment. But as the Syrian civil war erupted, her role shifted dramatically. Instead of being a beacon of hope, she became an accomplice in her husband’s harsh crackdown on dissent.
Asma was born in 1975 to a well-off family in London. She grew up in a nice neighborhood and went to good schools. After studying computer science, she worked in investment banking, hopping between major cities like London and New York. She met Bashar al-Assad as a kid and reconnected when he moved to London for medical training.
When Bashar became president in 2000, Asma was right there with him. They married in 2001 and had three kids. In her early days as first lady, she was all about youth engagement and cultural preservation. She even worked with the Louvre to promote Syria’s heritage.
But everything changed in March 2011 when protests against Bashar’s regime began. The government responded with violence, and the country spiraled into civil war. Asma stayed silent for a long time, only breaking her silence to support her husband’s actions. In a leaked email, she even joked about being “the real dictator.”
While the war raged on, she was seen shopping for luxury items while civilians suffered. Leaked emails revealed the Assads were spending lavishly, even as the country faced devastation. Her net worth is estimated between $1 to $2 billion, which is mind-boggling given the circumstances.
In 2021, the Met police started investigating her for potential war crimes. After Bashar’s government faced collapse, they sought refuge in Moscow, where they were granted asylum. Now, Asma’s parents are reportedly missing from their home in London, believed to have fled.
Once viewed as a symbol of empowerment, Asma al-Assad’s reputation has taken a nosedive. As they start anew in Russia, it seems the once-beautiful rose has lost its bloom.