Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow : Ask Biography

Personal data

Date of birth

29 June 1957(age 59)

Place of birth

Babarab, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union

Political party

Democratic Party

Residence

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Alma mater

Turkmen State Medical Institute

Profession

Dentistry

Religion

Islam

President of Turkmenistan

Assumed office

21 December 2006

Preceded by

Saparmurat Niyazov

Home | Office Holder | Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhamedow

(or Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Berdymukhammedov,...

, born June 29, 1957)

has been the President of Turkmenistan since December 21, 2006, when he became acting president following the death of Saparmurat Niyazov, and the imprisonment of Niyazov's constitutionally appointed successor, Öwezgeldi Ataýew. Berdimuhamedow and the Halk Maslahaty announced on December 26 that the next presidential elections would be held on February 11, 2007. On February 14, 2007, Berdimuhamedow was named the winner of the presidential election held three days earlier, and immediately sworn into office.

As President, he has gradually dismantled the extensive cult of personality surrounding Saparmurat Niyazov.