Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Biography: Age, Wife, Sons, Net Worth, Parents, Political Career, Books, Awards

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, widely known by his initials SBY, is an Indonesian politician and retired army general whose steady leadership and deep engagement in both military and civilian governance naturally drew public attention.

His distinction as the nation’s first directly elected president and his years in office during a time of economic and democratic consolidation helped him emerge prominently on Indonesia’s political stage.

Profile

• Full name: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
• Nickname: SBY, Thinking General
• Date of birth: 9 September 1949
• Age: 76 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Tremas, Arjosari, Pacitan Regency, East Java, Indonesia
• State of origin: East Java
• Nationality: Indonesian
• Profession: Politician, retired army general
• Parents: Father: Raden Soekotjo; Mother: Siti Habibah
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Kristiani Herrawati (Ani Yudhoyono; married 1976 until her passing in 2019)
• Children: Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono
• Relationship status: Married (Ani passed away in June 2019)
• Religion: Devout Muslim
• Ethnicity: Javanese
• Net worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (76 years old) was born on 9 September 1949 into a modest Javanese family in Tremas, Pacitan Regency.

SBY is the son of Raden Soekotjo and Siti Habibah, with his father’s lineage linked to Hamengkubuwono II.

He initially entered mechanical engineering studies at Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology and a vocational center in Malang before successfully joining the Indonesian Military Academy (AKABRI) in 1970.

Graduating in 1973 as the best cadet, he received the Adhi Makayasa award.

SBY furthered his education in the U.S., earning an MA in Management from Webster University in 1991 after attending the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

He completed his PhD in Agricultural Economics at Bogor Agricultural University just prior to his presidential win in October 2004.

Additionally, he received honorary doctorates in law from Webster University and political science from Thammasat University in 2005, and earned a professorship from Indonesia’s Defense University in National Defense Science in June 2014.

Personal Life

SBY married Ani Yudhoyono in 1976; she was the daughter of General Sarwo Edhie Wibowo.

They raised two sons:

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), born 10 August 1978, who followed in his father’s footsteps—graduating from the Indonesian Military Academy, studying at NTU, Harvard (MPA), Webster University, and currently serves as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development under President Prabowo Subianto since October 2024.

Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, born 1980, educated in economics at Curtin University and Singapore’s Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, now a member of parliament––he’s married with four children.

Ani passed away on 1 June 2019; SBY remained devoted and later immersed himself in painting and established the Bogor-based volleyball team “Bogor LavAni” (a tribute combining “Love” and “Ani”).

Career

SBY served in the Indonesian Army from 1973, retiring as a lieutenant general in 2000 and later made honorary general.

Early roles included UN chief military observer in Bosnia (1995–96).

He held cabinet roles under Presidents Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Sukarnoputri, such as Minister of Mining and Energy (1999–2000) and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (2000–2004).

In 2004, he founded the Democratic Party of Indonesia, proclaiming its establishment on his birthday, 9 September 2001.

Elected president in Indonesia’s first direct vote in 2004 and re-elected in 2009, he served two terms (2004–2014).

His leadership included brokering the peace in Aceh, leading to the title “Father of Peace,” and serving as ASEAN chair during Indonesia’s hosting of summits, and later holding Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute Council.

Awards & Honours

• Lifetime Achievement Award (Champions of the Earth), 2014
• TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, 2009
• Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), 2010
• Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB), by Queen Elizabeth II, 2012

Post-Presidency & Recent Developments

After leaving office in October 2014, SBY remained active politically, leading the Democratic Party until March 2020, when succeeded by his son, Agus.

He served as President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (2014–2016).

Ani passed away in June 2019.

In November 2021, SBY was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer and sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., aided by Indonesia’s presidential medical team.

SBY remains a key political figure.

He initially supported Anies Baswedan in the 2024 presidential race and later endorsed Prabowo Subianto’s campaign.

In 2023, he inaugurated the SBY-Ani Museum and Gallery in Pacitan, showcasing art and memories of him and Ani.

Net Worth

SBY’s net worth is estimated at approximately USD 10 million.

Controversy

A minor controversy arose in September 2014, when SBY was alleged to be involved in a corruption trial connected to a USD 22,000 gift related to the Hambalang sports center project.

His spokesperson denied wrongdoing, and no formal charges were filed against him.

Social Media

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Books

• Mengatasi Krisis, Menyelamatkan Reformasi
• Taman Kehidupan: Kumpulan Puisi
• Revitalizing Indonesian Economy: Business, Politics, and Good Governance
• Transforming Indonesia: Selected International Speeches