Asma al-Assad, the once-celebrated and later-vilified First Lady of Syria, now seeks to return to her hometown, London, leaving behind the shadows of her controversial legacy in Syria and Russia.
BY PC Bureau
Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syria’s ousted president Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly filed for divorce, signaling dissatisfaction with her life in Moscow, where the family currently resides under asylum. According to reports from Turkish and Arab media, the former First Lady, who is reportedly suffering from Leukemia, is eager to return to her birthplace, London, after over two decades in Syria.
Born and raised in London to Syrian parents, Asma, a British-Syrian national, lived a life far removed from the halls of power until her marriage to Bashar al-Assad in 2000. At the time, she was a 25-year-old banker with a promising career in the United Kingdom. Her decision to relocate to Syria that year marked the beginning of her transformation into a global figure, first celebrated as a modernizing force, later vilified as a symbol of complicity during Syria’s devastating civil war.
Assad’s wife is currently battling for her life in hospital with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, one of the most rapid and aggressive cancers in the known.
Absolutely vile for the Israel magazine “J-post” to claim she’s got time to get a divorce and move to the UK. This on brand for the… pic.twitter.com/JDT0ohRPuP
— Syrian Girl 🇸🇾 (@Partisangirl) December 22, 2024
Asma al-#Assad has been diagnosed with leukemia — 5yrs after recovering from breast cancer.
In recent years, Asma has aggressively taken over sizable portions of #Syria‘s economy & enriched herself by appropriating 20-50% of every $ of @UN aid funds sent to #Damascus. pic.twitter.com/T98q4jrW0U
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) May 21, 2024
Now 49, Asma is seeking a fresh start. Media outlets report that she has filed for divorce in a Russian court, citing her desire to leave Moscow. She has also submitted a request for special permission to exit Russia, with authorities currently reviewing her plea, according to The Jerusalem Post.
The developments follow the dramatic downfall of Bashar al-Assad, whose authoritarian rule was ended by a rebel coalition led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) earlier this month. The overthrow marked the collapse of the Assad dynasty after five decades of unyielding control over Syria. In the aftermath, the Assad family, including Asma, sought refuge in Moscow under a controversial asylum agreement.
Asma’s legal maneuver signals not just personal discontent but perhaps the larger unraveling of a family that once wielded unchallenged power. Her potential return to London could set the stage for a new chapter in her life, though it remains to be seen how the former First Lady, once vilified in the West, will navigate her reentry into British society.
Early Life and Education
Asma grew up in Acton, London, in a middle-class Syrian family. Her father, Fawaz Akhras, was a cardiologist, and her mother, Sahar Akhras, a retired diplomat who served as First Secretary at the Syrian Embassy in London. The family adhered to Sunni Islam and hailed from Homs, Syria. She attended Twyford Church of England High School and later the prestigious Queen’s College in London.
In 1996, Asma graduated from King’s College London with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and French Literature. A bright student with a keen interest in global affairs, she initially pursued a career in finance and economics.
Finance Career
Asma’s professional life began in the financial sector, where she worked as an economic analyst for Deutsche Bank in the hedge fund division. By 1998, she had moved to J.P. Morgan, specializing in biotechnology and pharmaceutical investments. Her work was marked by a sharp analytical acumen, and she credited her banking experience with helping her develop a deep understanding of business operations.
Asma’s career trajectory was set to include an MBA at Harvard University. However, during a family holiday in Damascus in 2000, she reconnected with Bashar al-Assad, a family friend. Shortly thereafter, she abandoned her career plans to marry Bashar, who had recently assumed Syria’s presidency following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad.
First Lady of Syria
Asma officially became First Lady of Syria in December 2000. Upon her arrival in Syria, she adopted a highly visible public role, positioning herself as a modernizing force in Syrian society. She traveled extensively across the country to understand local issues, meeting citizens and observing the challenges faced by rural communities.
She spearheaded the establishment of the Syria Trust for Development, a network of charitable organizations aimed at promoting education, rural development, and women’s empowerment. Early in her tenure, she gained international recognition for these efforts, appearing in Middle Eastern media as a symbol of reform and progress.
Despite her advocacy for social reform, Asma faced criticism for her unwavering support of her husband’s regime during the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011. While initially praised for her outreach efforts, her role as a key figure within the Assad administration drew international scrutiny as the conflict escalated.
Controversies and Sanctions
As the Syrian Civil War unfolded, Asma and her husband were accused of economic profiteering and human rights abuses. Alongside Bashar, she was described as one of the “main economic players” in Syria, exerting control over key industries, including banking, telecommunications, and real estate.
Her international image suffered when Vogue published a glowing profile of her in February 2011 titled “A Rose in the Desert,” portraying her as a cosmopolitan reformer. The piece was later withdrawn amid backlash over its failure to address the Syrian regime’s oppressive tactics.
In 2012, the European Union imposed sanctions on Asma, freezing her assets and banning her travel within EU borders. Although her British citizenship technically allowed her to enter the UK, successive British governments declared her persona non grata. She was also implicated in preliminary war crimes investigations by the UK Metropolitan Police for allegedly inciting violence and supporting her husband’s military actions.
Fall from Power
As the civil war dragged on, Asma’s influence within the Syrian government reportedly grew. By 2020, her charity, the Syria Trust for Development, was revitalized, and her allies began securing parliamentary seats, solidifying her political foothold. However, mounting pressure from opposition forces, internal dissent, and international sanctions culminated in the regime’s collapse.
In November 2024, Asma fled Syria with her three children to Russia, days before Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Her flight marked the end of her controversial two-decade tenure as First Lady.
Legacy and Criticism
Asma’s legacy remains polarizing. To her supporters, she was a modern, educated woman who attempted to bring reform to a troubled nation. To her detractors, she was complicit in perpetuating a regime accused of war crimes and oppression. Her image shifted from a symbol of hope and reform to a divisive figure accused of aligning herself with tyranny.
Her complex life—marked by privilege, ambition, and controversy—reflects the turbulent history of modern Syria. Asma al-Assad continues to be a subject of debate among historians, activists, and political analysts, embodying both the promise and perils of power in a fractured society.
