Early Life and Education of Osama bin Laden: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 22, 2025

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Osama bin Laden. From birth to education, explore key events.

Osama bin Laden was the founder and leader of al-Qaeda, a militant organization. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian mujahideen. Bin Laden opposed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, declaring war on the United States in 1996. He orchestrated and supervised the September 11 attacks in 2001, which targeted U.S. assets and resulted in significant casualties, solidifying his role as a key figure in global terrorism.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

March 1957: Osama bin Laden Born in Riyadh

On 10 March 1957, Osama bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Muhammad bin Ladin, a billionaire construction magnate, and Hamida al-Attas.

1967: Death of Mohammed bin Ladin

In 1967, Mohammed bin Ladin, Osama bin Laden's father, died in an airplane crash in Saudi Arabia.

1968: Attended Al-Thager Model School

From 1968, Osama bin Laden attended the elite Al-Thager Model School.

1971: Attended English-language course in Oxford, England

In 1971, Osama bin Laden attended an English-language course in Oxford, England.

1974: Married Najwa Ghanem

In 1974, at age 17, Osama bin Laden married Najwa Ghanem in Latakia, Syria.

1976: Finished Attending Al-Thager Model School

Until 1976, Osama bin Laden attended the elite Al-Thager Model School.

1979: Potentially earned a degree in civil engineering

In 1979, Osama bin Laden may have earned a degree in civil engineering at King Abdulaziz University.

1981: Potentially earned a degree in public administration

In 1981, Osama bin Laden may have earned a degree in public administration at King Abdulaziz University.

1982: Inspiration from Lebanon War

In 2004, Osama bin Laden stated that he was inspired to destroy the World Trade Center after watching the destruction of towers in Lebanon by Israel during the 1982 Lebanon War.

1983: Married Khadijah Sharif

In 1983, Osama bin Laden married Khadijah Sharif, who he later divorced in the 1990s.

1985: Married Khairiah Sabar

In 1985, Osama bin Laden married Khairiah Sabar.

1987: Married Siham Sabar

In 1987, Osama bin Laden married Siham Sabar.

1988: Death of Salem bin Laden

In 1988, Salem bin Laden, Osama bin Laden's eldest half-brother, died in a plane crash in the U.S.

February 1989: Bin Laden's Return to Saudi Arabia

In February 1989, following the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia and was regarded as a hero of jihad. He then engaged in opposition movements against the Saudi monarchy.

March 1989: Battle of Jalalabad

In March 1989, Bin Laden led 800 Arab foreign fighters during the unsuccessful Battle of Jalalabad, where he personally led his men to immobilize the 7th Sarandoy Regiment, resulting in massive casualties.

August 1990: Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait and Bin Laden's Offer to Defend Saudi Arabia

In August 1990, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Bin Laden met with King Fahd and Defense Minister Sultan, offering his Arab legion to defend Saudi Arabia instead of relying on non-Muslim assistance from the U.S. His offer was declined.

1990: Bin Laden Funds Afghan Coup Attempt

In 1990, Bin Laden funded the Afghan coup d'état attempt led by General Shahnawaz Tanai, a hardcore communist. He also lobbied the Parliament of Pakistan to carry out an unsuccessful motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

1990: President Bush's Assurance to King Fahd

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush assured King Fahd that U.S. forces would withdraw from Saudi Arabia once the Iraqi threat was dealt with. However, by 1996, the Americans were still there.

1991: Bin Laden's Criticism and House Arrest

In 1991, Bin Laden publicly criticized Saudi dependence on U.S. forces, leading to his house arrest and eventual forced departure from the country. The U.S. 82nd Airborne Division was deployed in Dhahran.

1991: Expulsion from Saudi Arabia

In 1991, Bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia after repeatedly criticizing the alliance with the United States. He and his followers moved to Afghanistan.

April 1992: Pacifying Role in Afghanistan Civil War

In March–April 1992, Bin Laden tried to play a pacifying role in the escalating civil war in Afghanistan, by urging warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to join the mujahideen leaders negotiating a coalition government instead of trying to conquer Kabul.

1994: Loss of Saudi Citizenship and Stipend

In 1994, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia stripped Bin Laden of his Saudi citizenship and persuaded his family to cut off his $7 million a year stipend due to Bin Laden's continued criticism of the Saudi monarchy.

May 1996: Bin Laden's Expulsion to Afghanistan

On May 18, 1996, due to increasing pressure on Sudan, Bin Laden was permitted to leave for Jalalabad, Afghanistan, where he developed a close relationship with Mullah Omar. The expulsion significantly weakened Bin Laden and his organization.

1997: Nasser al-Bahri Becomes Bin Laden's Bodyguard

From 1997, Nasser al-Bahri was Bin Laden's personal bodyguard.

2000: Married Amal al-Sadah

In 2000, Osama bin Laden married Amal al-Sadah.

2001: Nasser al-Bahri was Bin Laden's Bodyguard

Until 2001, Nasser al-Bahri was Bin Laden's personal bodyguard.

2006: Alleged Imprisonment by ISI

According to Seymour M. Hersh, in 2006, Bin Laden had been a prisoner of the ISI at the Abbottabad compound.

March 2012: Pakistani Report on Movements

On 29 March 2012, Pakistani newspaper Dawn acquired a report produced by Pakistani security officials, based on interrogation of his three surviving wives, that detailed Bin Laden's movements while living underground in Pakistan.