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

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

Osama bin Laden, a Saudi-born Islamist, founded al-Qaeda and served as its first emir. He fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and supported Bosnian fighters in the Yugoslav Wars. He vehemently opposed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, declaring war against the U.S. in 1996. Bin Laden orchestrated and supervised the September 11 attacks in 2001, targeting U.S. assets. His actions and ideologies had a significant impact on global politics and security.

Sections (6)

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

March 1957: Osama bin Laden's Birth

In March 1957, Osama bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Muhammad bin Ladin and Hamida al-Attas.

1967: Death of Mohammed bin Laden

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

1968: Attended Al-Thager Model School

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

1971: Attended English-Language Course

During 1971, Bin Laden attended an English-language course in Oxford, England.

1974: Married Najwa Ghanem

In 1974, at age 17, Bin Laden married Najwa Ghanem at Latakia, Syria.

1976: Finished Attending Al-Thager Model School

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

1979: Joins the Mujahideen in Afghanistan

In 1979, Bin Laden joined the mujahideen fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

1979: Studied at King Abdulaziz University

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

1979: Bin Laden Joins Mujahideen in Afghanistan

In 1979, after leaving college, Osama bin Laden went to Pakistan and joined Abdullah Yusuf Azzam to support the Mujahideen resistance in the Soviet-Afghan War, using his construction company's resources.

1980: Bin Laden acted as a liaison between the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) and Afghan warlords

Beginning in early 1980, Osama Bin Laden acted as a liaison between the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) and Afghan warlords.

1981: Studied at King Abdulaziz University

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

1982: Inspiration from Lebanon War

Bin Laden states he was inspired to destroy the World Trade Center after watching the destruction of towers in Lebanon by Israel during the 1982 Lebanon War.

1982: Bin Laden Inspired by Lebanon War

In 1982, the events of the Lebanon War, particularly the destruction of towers in Lebanon by Israel, inspired Bin Laden to plan attacks against towers in America.

1983: Married Khadijah Sharif

In 1983, Bin Laden married Khadijah Sharif.

1984: Co-founded Maktab al-Khidamat

In 1984, Bin Laden co-founded Maktab al-Khidamat, which recruited foreign mujahideen into the war.

1984: Bin Laden and Azzam Establish Maktab al-Khidamat

In 1984, Osama bin Laden and Azzam established Maktab al-Khidamat to funnel money, arms, and fighters into Afghanistan, funded by Bin Laden's family fortune.

1985: Married Khairiah Sabar

In 1985, Bin Laden married Khairiah Sabar.

1986: Bin Laden Sets Up Base in Eastern Afghanistan

Between 1986 and 1987, Osama bin Laden established a base in eastern Afghanistan for his Arab soldiers, marking an increase in his direct involvement in the conflict.

1987: Married Siham Sabar

In 1987, Bin Laden married Siham Sabar.

1987: Bin Laden Participates in Battle of Jaji

In 1987, Osama bin Laden participated in the Battle of Jaji against the Soviets, which was later lionized in the Arab press, boosting his image.

August 1988: Bin Laden Splits from Maktab al-Khidamat, Establishes al-Qaeda

In August 1988, Osama bin Laden split from Maktab al-Khidamat and established al-Qaeda with the goal to lift the word of God, to make his religion victorious.

August 1988: Meeting Suggests al-Qaeda Was a Formal Group

Research suggests that al-Qaeda was formed at an August 11, 1988, meeting between several senior leaders of Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), Azzam, and Bin Laden, where it was agreed to join Bin Laden's money with the expertise of the EIJ and take up the jihadist cause elsewhere after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan.

1988: Founded al-Qaeda

In 1988, Bin Laden founded al-Qaeda for worldwide jihad.

1988: Death of Salem bin Laden

In 1988, Bin Laden's eldest half-brother, Salem bin Laden, was killed in an airplane crash near San Antonio, Texas.

February 1989: Bin Laden Returns to Saudi Arabia as a Hero

In February 1989, following the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero of jihad.

March 1989: Bin Laden Leads Foreign Fighters in Battle of Jalalabad

In March 1989, Osama bin Laden led 800 Arab foreign fighters during the unsuccessful Battle of Jalalabad, suffering massive casualties.

August 1990: Bin Laden Offers to Defend Saudi Arabia Against Iraq

In August 1990, after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Osama bin Laden met with King Fahd and offered to defend Saudi Arabia with his Arab legion, but was rebuffed in favor of U.S. military assistance.

1990: Bin Laden Funds Afghan Coup Attempt

In 1990, Osama bin Laden funded the Afghan coup d'état attempt led by General Shahnawaz Tanai and lobbied the Parliament of Pakistan to carry out an unsuccessful motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

1991: Expulsion from Saudi Arabia

In 1991, Bin Laden's views on pan-Islamism and anti-Americanism resulted in his expulsion from Saudi Arabia.

1991: Bin Laden Denounces Saudi Dependence on U.S. Forces

In 1991, Osama bin Laden publicly denounced Saudi dependence on the U.S. forces, which led to him being placed under house arrest and eventually forced to leave the country.

1991: Bin Laden Expelled from Saudi Arabia

In 1991, Osama bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia for criticizing the Saudi alliance with the United States.

April 1992: Bin Laden Tries to Mediate in Afghan Civil War

In March–April 1992, Osama bin Laden tried to play a pacifying role in the escalating civil war in Afghanistan, urging warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to join the other mujahideen leaders negotiating a coalition government.

1992: US provides billions in aid to Mujahideen

From 1979 to 1992, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and China provided between $6–12 billion worth of financial aid and weapons to tens of thousands of mujahideen through Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

1992: Al-Qaeda Assists Jihadis in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan

In the 1990s, Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda assisted jihadis financially, and sometimes militarily, in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan. In 1992 or 1993, Bin Laden sent an emissary with $40,000 to Algeria to aid the Islamists and urge war rather than negotiation with the government.

1993: Al-Qaeda Assists Jihadis in Algeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan

May 1996: Bin Laden returned to Afghanistan

On 18 May 1996, Bin Laden was permitted to leave Sudan for a country of his choice due to increasing pressure. He returned to Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on a chartered flight where he forged a close relationship with Mullah Omar. He lost between $20 million and $300 million after the government seized his construction equipment, and he was forced to liquidate his businesses, land, and even his horses.

1997: Al-Bahri became Bin Laden's bodyguard

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

October 1999: Al-Qaeda Designated as a Terrorist Organization

In October 1999, the United Nations designated al-Qaeda as a terrorist organization.

2000: Married Amal al-Sadah

In 2000, Bin Laden married Amal al-Sadah.

September 2001: Najwa Ghanem Left Afghanistan

In September 2001, Najwa Ghanem left Afghanistan two days before the 9/11 attacks.

2001: Al-Bahri stopped being Bin Laden's bodyguard

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

2010: Bin Laden's Children in Iran

As of 2010, Iranian authorities reportedly continue to control the movements of many of Bin Laden's children who fled to Iran following the September 11 attacks.