Hosni Mubarak
Egyptian president who resigned after the 2011 revolution.
Hosni Mubarak served as the fourth president of Egypt from 14 October 1981 until 11 February 2011, when he was forced to resign following mass nationwide protests demanding his removal from office. He succeeded his vice president, Anwar Sadat, after Sadat's assassination in October 1981.
- field
- Politician, military officer
- nationality
- Egyptian
- known_for
- Fourth president of Egypt (1981–2011); longest-serving ruler since Muhammad Ali
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Some sources credit him for Egypt's initial performance, though others dispute his role, with claims that he altered documents to take credit from others. After Sadat's assassination in 1981, Mubarak assumed the presidency via a single-candidate referendum. pressure held Egypt's first multi-party election in 2005, which he won. He resigned during the 2011 Egyptian revolution after 18 days of demonstrations, transferring power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. He was later tried for killing peaceful protesters, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012, but that sentence was overturned in 2013.
Reader's Guide
His tenure was marked by stability and some economic growth, but also by repression, including a continuous state of emergency, brutal security services, and widespread corruption. However, his rule ended with the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and he became the first Arab leader tried in his own country in an ordinary court.
Did You Know?
- He was the first president to gain power solely through an election via popular vote? No, that was Mohamed Morsi in 2012; Mubarak was elected by plebiscite.
- Mubarak transferred presidential powers to his recently appointed vice president, Omar Suleiman, on 10 February 2011, one day before his resignation.
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 for killing peaceful protesters, but that sentence was overturned in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hosni Mubarak?
Hosni Mubarak was an Egyptian politician and military officer born on 4 May 1928 in Monufia Governorate. He served as Egypt's fourth president from 1981 until 2011, making him the country's longest-serving ruler since Muhammad Ali Pasha.
What was Hosni Mubarak's role and how long did he hold power?
He held the top executive office in Egypt as president, having previously served as the seventh vice president under Anwar Sadat and as the 41st prime minister. His tenure of nearly thirty years made him the most long-serving leader in modern Egyptian history.
How does Hosni Mubarak's story end?
Mubarak was compelled to step down in 2011 in the wake of the Egyptian revolution that toppled his government. He later died on 25 February 2020 at the age of 91.
Why is Hosni Mubarak considered important in post-colonial African history?
His three-decade rule defined the political trajectory of modern Egypt, and his overthrow became a landmark moment in the broader Arab Spring. He is also credited with reinstating Egypt into the Arab League and for his notable role in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
What military background did Hosni Mubarak have before becoming president?
Mubarak built his career as a military officer before transitioning into politics. He is especially remembered for his involvement in the Yom Kippur War, which bolstered his public standing and helped launch his political ascent.
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