How Asma al-Assad became Syria's Lady Macbeth

In 2011, American Vogue featured an interview with Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad. The magazine portrayed her as “a rose in the desert,” captivated by her beauty and charm. They referred to her as “the most enchanting and vibrant first lady” and described her as “a tall and graceful beauty with a sharp, analytical mind.”

More than ten years later, Bashar al-Assad's wife has earned some unflattering nicknames like Lady Macbeth and "the First Lady of Hell." Initially, she was regarded as a beneficial presence for the Syrian president, known for her involvement in non-profit and charitable efforts. However, when the civil war erupted in Syria, her role shifted to supporting her husband in his harsh response to opposition.

Asma and Bashar al-Assad in 2004

Photo Credit: AFP through Getty Images

How did this former banker from London, who claimed to be passionate about "empowering young people," turn into a controversial figure facing investigation by the Metropolitan police for alleged war crimes?

Asma entered the world in 1975 to parents Fawaz and Sahar Akhras; her father was a cardiologist on Harley Street, and her mother worked as a diplomat at the Syrian embassy. She spent her childhood in Ealing, a district in west London, and attended Twyford, a Church of England school in Acton, where she was called "Emma." Later, she transitioned to Queen's College, a private girls' school in Marylebone, to finish her A-levels.

The home of the Akhras family in Acton, where Asma spent her childhood.

After earning a top degree in Computer Science from King’s College London, Asma embarked on a professional journey in investment banking. She held positions at Deutsche Bank and later at JP Morgan, frequently commuting between London, Paris, and New York.

The Akhras family communicated in Arabic within their household and traveled to Syria each summer for vacations. As a child, Asma met Bashar al-Assad through friends of her family, and they reconnected when he relocated to London in 1992 to study ophthalmology at the Western Eye Hospital. In a later interview with Vogue, where Asma was also featured, Assad mentioned that he was attracted to eye surgery because “it requires great precision, it’s rarely an urgent procedure, and there’s minimal blood involved.”

Two years later, Bashar al-Assad's older brother died in a car accident, positioning Bashar as the next in line for the dictatorship. He assumed the presidency in 2000 after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who was the president at that time. By then, Asma and Bashar had started their relationship, with Asma traveling to Syria each month to visit him. She left her job at JP Morgan, and the two tied the knot in a small, private ceremony on January 1, 2001. They have three children together, with their oldest, Hafez, now 23, having attended Moscow State University.

The couple has three kids: Zein, Hafez, and Karim.

Syrian Presidential Facebook account

During her initial time as first lady, Asma dedicated herself to inspiring young people under 18 to engage as active members of society. She initiated youth centers throughout Syria that educated youngsters on civic duties and founded a nonprofit organization to provide teens with essential business skills. As she told Vogue in 2011, “It’s about everyone sharing the responsibility to advance this country, emphasizing empowerment within a civil society.”

In addition to her dedication to youth programs, she was also passionate about protecting Syria's cultural heritage, including its historical artifacts, traditions, and welcoming spirit. Prior to the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, the Assad family was actively involved in international affairs. Asma collaborated with the Louvre in Paris to establish a network of museums, while the Assads hosted prominent figures such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who made a trip to meet Iraqi refugees in Syria in 2009.

The Assads enjoying a meal in Paris, 2010

Getty Images, sourced by AFP

In March 2011, demonstrations advocating for democracy erupted throughout Syria in opposition to Bashar al-Assad's government. The authorities reacted with brutal force, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. As a result, various rebel factions emerged, and by 2012, the nation had plunged into a complete civil war.

During this time, Asma did not speak publicly. She finally addressed the situation in an email to The Times in 2012, stating, "The President serves as the President of Syria, not just a part of the Syrian people, and the First Lady stands by him in this role." Given her involvement in charitable activities, some may have hoped that Asma would play a soothing role. However, a leaked email from that year revealed her joking with a friend, saying, "I am the true dictator."

Since that time, she has supported her husband's military efforts, which have resulted in the deaths of more than half a million people and left 13 million Syrians uprooted from their homes.

Asma was recognized as a fashionable icon and a representation of women's empowerment in the Middle East.

AFP through Getty Images

Asma used to be seen as reserved and understated. Vogue noted that her fashion sense was more about simplicity than the extravagant glamor often associated with powerful figures from the Middle East. However, while the people were enduring hunger and violence in 2012, Asma was busy arranging for shipments of luxury Louboutin stilettos and pricey vases from Harrods to be sent to Damascus. Leaked emails revealed to the Guardian indicated that the Assad family was spending vast sums on chandeliers, gold jewelry, and artwork, all while the government was ruthlessly suppressing dissent. The Assads’ estimated wealth ranges from $1 to $2 billion.

During the ongoing conflict, Asma frequently went to hospitals to provide support to the families of injured and deceased soldiers. However, in 2021, the Metropolitan Police started looking into whether she was involved in war crimes and if her citizenship should be taken away.

Since the onset of the civil war in Syria, Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin have maintained a strong partnership.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the family fled to Moscow, where they were given asylum by the Russian authorities. Vladimir Putin has been a consistent supporter of Assad, providing him with both political backing and military assistance since the onset of the conflict.

Asma's parents have been missing from their home in Acton, west London, for more than a week now, and it's believed they may have left the UK.

Asma al-Assad was once viewed as a beacon of hope in the Middle East, but her image has shifted to that of cruelty and greed. As she starts anew in Russia, it's clear that the bloom she once had has faded.