Mahmood Mamdani Biography: Age, Wife Son, Net Worth, Books, Height, Nationality

Mahmood Mamdani is a distinguished academic, author, political commentator, and civil human rights activist, widely respected for his scholarly contributions to African studies, political science, and anthropology.

Holding the title of Herbert Lehman Professor of Government at Columbia University and serving as Chancellor of Kampala International University in Uganda, Mamdani is best known for his influential books, including Citizen and Subject and When Victims Become Killers, which explore colonial legacies, post-colonial politics, and human rights in Africa.

Profile

• Full Name: Mahmood Mamdani
• Stage Name: Mahmood Mamdani
• Born: 23, April 1946
• Age: 79 years old
• Birthplace: Bombay, India
• Nationality: Ugandan-Indian
• Occupation: Academic, Author, Political Commentator, Civil Human Rights Activist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Mamdani and Mrs. Mamdani
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Mira Nair (m. 1988)
• Children: Zohran Mamdani
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $100,000 and $500,000

Early Life and Education

Mahmood Mamdani was born on April 23, 1946, in Bombay, India, to Mr. Mamdani and Mrs. Mamdani, of Gujarati Muslim descent. He grew up in Kampala, Uganda, where his family settled during his childhood.

Details about his parents and siblings are not publicly documented. Mamdani pursued higher education in the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. in government from Harvard University in 1974.

His ethnicity is Indian, and his religious background is Muslim, though specific practices are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Mahmood Mamdani began his career as an academic in the 1970s, focusing on African political systems and post-colonial theory. After completing his Ph.D. at Harvard, he taught at institutions like the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, where he engaged with African intellectual movements.

His early work, including From Citizen to Subject (1978), examined the impact of colonial rule on African societies, earning him recognition as a leading voice in post-colonial studies. His scholarship challenged Western narratives about Africa, emphasizing local agency and historical context.

Mamdani’s career gained prominence with the publication of Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism (1996), which won the Herskovits Award and became a seminal text in African studies.

He held prestigious positions, including director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research in Uganda and professor at Columbia University, where he teaches anthropology, political science, and African studies.

His book When Victims Become Killers (2001) analyzed the Rwandan genocide, offering nuanced insights into violence and reconciliation. Mamdani’s work consistently bridges academia and activism, addressing issues like human rights and global justice.

Mamdani’s influence endures through his ongoing scholarship and leadership roles. As Chancellor of Kampala International University, he shapes educational policy in Uganda, while his position at Columbia University allows him to mentor emerging scholars.

His recent writings, including Neither Settler nor Native (2020), continue to provoke thought on decolonization and state-building. Mamdani’s legacy lies in his rigorous analysis of power dynamics and his commitment to fostering intellectual discourse on Africa’s past and future.

Social Media

• Twitter Handle: @MahmoodMamdani

Personal Life

Mahmood Mamdani has been married to filmmaker Mira Nair since 1988, and they have a son, Zohran Mamdani, born in 1991, who serves as a New York State Assemblymember.

Mamdani maintains a private personal life, with little public information about his relationships or lifestyle beyond his marriage. Based in New York and Kampala, he balances his academic and administrative responsibilities with a commitment to human rights advocacy, often engaging in public discussions on global justice and African politics.

Net Worth

Mahmood Mamdani’s net worth is not publicly documented. His income primarily comes from his academic roles at institutions such as Columbia University and Kampala International University, along with royalties from his numerous publications, including acclaimed works like Citizen and Subject.

While exact figures are unavailable, estimates suggest his net worth could range between $100,000 and $500,000, based on his distinguished academic career and intellectual contributions.