Pervez Musharraf Biography: Military Career, Presidency, Death, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Coup, Legacy, Age

Pervez Musharraf was a Pakistani four-star general and statesman who served as the country’s tenth president from 2001 to 2008, following his rise to power through a military coup in 1999 that ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Prior to his presidency, he held key military positions, including Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He played a central role in the 1999 Kargil conflict and later governed as a military ruler before assuming the presidency.

His tenure was marked by economic reforms, the promotion of “enlightened moderation,” and a pivotal alliance with the United States during the War on Terror, though it also drew criticism for authoritarian practices and challenges in addressing extremism.

Profile

• Full Name: Pervez Musharraf
• Stage Name: Pervez Musharraf
• Born: 11 August 1943
• Died: 5 February 2023
• Age: 79 years old
• Birthplace: Old Delhi, Delhi, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: General and former President of Pakistan
• Height:
• Parent: Syed Musharrafuddin and Begum Zarin Musharraf
• Siblings: Javed Musharraf and Naved Musharraf
• Spouse: Sehba Musharraf (m. 1968–2023)
• Children: Ayla Musharraf, Bilal Musharraf
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life And Education

Pervez Musharraf was born on 11 August 1943 in Delhi, British India (now New Delhi, India), into a well-educated and service-oriented family. His father, Syed Musharrafuddin, served as an accounts officer in the British Indian government and later held positions in Pakistan’s foreign service, while his mother, Begum Zarin Musharraf, held a degree in English literature and came from a family with a strong background in public service and the judiciary.

He was the second of three brothers—his elder brother, Javed Musharraf, is an economist based in Rome, and his younger brother, Naved Musharraf, is an anesthesiologist in the United States.

Musharraf pursued a degree in mathematics at Forman Christian College in Lahore before beginning his military training at the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961. He later enhanced his strategic and leadership skills at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Of South Asian ethnicity, he practiced Islam throughout his life.

Career

Pervez Musharraf began his military career in 1961 at the Pakistan Military Academy and went on to serve in the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, notably as a company commander in the elite Special Service Group. His leadership in combat zones such as Khemkaran, Lahore, and Sialkot earned him commendations for bravery.

Throughout the 1990s, he rose through the ranks, holding senior positions including General Officer Commanding of the 40th Division and Director-General of Military Operations, while also engaging in military diplomacy and strategic planning.

In October 1998, Musharraf was appointed Chief of Army Staff by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He played a leading role in the 1999 Kargil conflict with India, a controversial operation that strained civil-military relations in Pakistan.

Tensions culminated on October 12, 1999, when Musharraf staged a bloodless coup, deposing Sharif’s government after an attempt to block his return to the country. He assumed the role of Chief Executive and later became President in 2001.

His leadership focused on economic reforms, military modernization, and positioning Pakistan as a key U.S. ally in the War on Terror, though his administration was also marked by constitutional suspensions and emergency rule.

Musharraf remained in power until 2008, stepping down to avoid impeachment amid rising political unrest. In the years that followed, he faced multiple legal cases, including a high treason charge and a death sentence in absentia—later overturned. He lived in exile during much of this period and passed away in Dubai in 2023.

Social Media

Pervez Musharraf does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Pervez Musharraf was married to Sehba Musharraf (née Farid) on 28 December 1968, and the couple remained together until his death in 2023. Sehba was known for her involvement in social causes and often accompanied her husband on official engagements.

They had two children: Bilal, a Chartered Accountant, and Ayla, an architect. Despite Musharraf’s public career, the family maintained a relatively private life.

He passed away on 5 February 2023 in Dubai at the age of 79 due to complications from amyloidosis, a rare and progressive illness.

Net Worth

Pervez Musharraf’s net worth was estimated at approximately $2 million, derived from his military and presidential pensions, royalties from his memoir In the Line of Fire, international speaking engagements, and occasional consulting work. Despite his prominent roles, his wealth remained relatively modest for a former leader of a nuclear-armed nation.