Anisa Makhlouf

Biography

Makhlouf was born in Latakia, Syria, to the influential Alawite Makhlouf family from Bustan al-Basha, Latakia Governorate. She was the daughter of Ahmed Makhlouf and Saada Sulayman al-Assad, Hafez al-Assad's aunt.

She married Hafez al-Assad, an officer of the Syrian Arab Air Force, in 1957. They had five children: Bushra (b. 1960), Bassel al-Assad (1962–1994), Bashar al-Assad (b. 1965), Majd al-Assad (1966–2009), and Maher al-Assad (b. 1967). Her marriage to Hafez al-Assad elevated the status and wealth of the Makhlouf family. Her relatives were awarded lucrative contracts within the country's banking, oil and telecommunication sectors. One nephew, Rami Makhlouf, was once believed to be the wealthiest man in Syria, with a net worth of US$5 billion, as of 2012.

According to the Tlass family, Hafez was never particularly fond of the staid and withdrawn Anisa, and had seriously considered divorcing her, or having a second wife to entertain world leaders. One whose company he enjoyed more than Anisa was the more outgoing and affable Lamia Tlass, wife of Mustafa Tlass, who was also considering divorce due to his repeated infidelity.[[File:Al Assad family.jpg|left|thumb|The Assad family, 1992-93|185x185px]]Following the death of Bassel al-Assad in 1994, Makhlouf favoured Maher al-Assad, her youngest son and a Syrian general, as a possible successor for her husband. Instead, Bashar al-Assad returned from London, joined the military, and succeeded his father as President of Syria in 2000. The Economist described Anisa Makhlouf as "a formidable figure" within the al-Assad family and the Ba'athist government. She is believed to have advocated for a heavy, military crackdown on Syrian protesters and rebels during the ongoing Civil War.

In 2012, Makhlouf, as well as other members of the Al-Assad family, were sanctioned by the European Union amid the country's civil war and attacks on protesters by the Syrian government.

The EU sanctions included a travel ban and the freezing of her assets.

Death

Anisa Makhlouf died in Damascus on 6 February 2016 from undisclosed causes.

Bibliography

References

References

1. [https://www.onpcsb.ro/pdf/Decizia%202012_739_PESC_engleza.pdf One source cites 1934 as her year of birth (see p. 26)], onpcsb.ro; accessed 9 July 2017.
2. (6 February 2016). "Syrian president's mother Anissa Assad dies aged 86". [[Al Jazeera English]].
3. (21 February 2013). "The Assad family: Where are they now?". [[The Economist]].
4. Ali, Nour. (11 October 2011). "At home with the Assads: Syria's ruthless ruling family". [[The Guardian]].
5. Bacias, Amanda. (6 February 2016). "Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's mother has died". [[Reuters]] ([[Business Insider]]).
6. (2020-09-13). "سر نفوذ والد رامي مخلوف.. "قرابة" كشفتها "نعوته"".
7. Dow, Nicole. (18 July 2012). "Getting to know Syria's first family". [[CNN]].
8. (6 February 2016). "Syrian president's mother Anissa Assad dies aged 86". [[Al Jazeera English.