Who Is Ayman al-Zawahiri Wife, Azza Ahmed? Al-Qaeda Leader Killed In US Drone Strike

Posted by Arica Deslauriers on Saturday, May 18, 2024

Ayman al-Zawahiri was an Egyptian-born physician and theologian who succeeded Osama bin Laden as the leader of al-Qaeda.

He succeeded bin Laden following the latter's death in 2011 and served as the leader from June 16, 2011, to July 31, 2022.

Before his stint as leader, he was a senior member of many Islamist organizations and orchestrated attacks in Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe.

He was especially notorious for his statement in 2012, where he called on Muslims to kidnap Westerners in Muslim countries. Post-September 11, 2001, the U.S. State Department put up a $25 million reward for any information and intelligence that could result in Zawahiri's capture.

He'd already been put under worldwide sanctions in 1999 by the Al-Qaeda Sanctions committee after the public discovered that he was a member of al-Qaeda.

Age at Death:71
Wives:4
Children:7
First Wife's Name:Azza Ahmed
Net Worth:$2 Million
Country:Egypt
Religion:Islam

Who Is Ayman al-Zawahiri's Wife, Azza Ahmed?

Azza Ahmed Nowari was Ayman al-Zawahiri's first wife and the mother of six children.

Before their wedding, Ahmed was studying philosophy at Cairo University. Their wedding occurred in 1978, at the Continental Hotel in Opera Square.

According to various sources, their wedding was very conservative. There were separate areas for both men and women, and there was no music, photographs, or joy at the wedding. 

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Ahmed gave birth to five daughters for Zawahiri named Fatima, born in 1981; Umayma, born in 1983; Nabila, born in 1986; Khadiga, born in 1987; and Aisha, born in 1997. Aisha was born with Down syndrome. She also gave birth to Mohammed in 1987, and he was the twin brother of Khadiga. 

Not much is known about Zawahiri's relationship with his children, but Ahmed adored them all and was incredibly close to her son Mohammed, who was delicate and well-mannered and followed his mother around all day.

Ahmed had no idea about Zawahiri's identity as a jihadi emir, but she paid the price as she, along with two of her six children, Mohammad and Aisha, were killed in an airstrike on Afghanistan by U.S. forces in late December 2001 as retaliation for the September 11 attacks.

Concerned for her modesty, she opted to die rather than be rescued because men would see her face. Her son was killed outright, and her daughter, unhurt by the bombing, died from exposure in the cold Aghanistani night while rescuers were trying to save the family. 

What Was Ayman al-Zawahiri's Cause Of Death?

A drone strike conducted by America's Central Intelligence Agency killed Ayman al-Zawahiri on July 31, 2022. 

According to statements from the C.I.A., the U.S. conducted a counterterrorism operation against a significant al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan, now discovered to be Zawahiri. They stated that the operation was successful, and there were no civilian casualties. 

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Zawahiri was killed in the upscale Sherpur neighborhood in Kabul. He lived in a house owned by a top aide to Sirajuddin Haqqani, a Taliban leader. 

Two missiles struck Zawahiri while he was standing on the balcony. Analysts state that an AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile was used. His death is a massive blow to al-Qaeda as he had been the face of the organization following bin Laden's death.

Zawahiri was the leader for about the same time as bin Laden shy only two years. 

What Was Ayman al-Zawahiri's Net Worth?

Ayman al-Zawahiri's net worth is between $1.5 to $5 million, but many sources agree to $2 million.

More impressive than Zawahiri's net worth is the $25 million bounty on his head for his information. Following his death, this bounty was also taken off the market.

Almost as famous as bin Laden, Zawahiri was known for the many videos and audio messages he would share throughout the Muslim world from the 2000s to his death.

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