Benazir Bhutto
Born 1953 · Age 72
Pakistani politician; first woman elected prime minister of a Muslim-majority country; twice PM of Pakistan (1988–1990, 1993–1996); long-time chair/co-chair of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP); imprisoned, exiled, returned in 2007 and assassinated while campaigning.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Karachi
Born to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto in a politically prominent Bhutto family in Karachi.
Passed O-levels
Completed O-level examinations at age 15 while attending convent schools in Pakistan.
Enrolled at Radcliffe College, Harvard
Began undergraduate studies at Radcliffe College / Harvard University (comparative government).
Accompanied father to Shimla talks with India
As a young woman she accompanied Zulfikar Bhutto to meetings with Indian PM Indira Gandhi and observed the Shimla negotiations (release of POWs, Line of Control).
Matriculated at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Moved to Oxford to study philosophy, political science and economics (PPE), following her father's alma mater.
Graduated Harvard (B.A.)
Received B.A. in comparative government from Harvard/Radcliffe; elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Elected President of the Oxford Union
Elected president of the prestigious Oxford Union debating society during graduate study.
Graduated Oxford (B.A.)
Completed undergraduate course at Oxford (PPE) in 1976.
Completed postgraduate study (M.A.) at Oxford
Completed postgraduate degree in international law (M.A.) at Oxford and returned to Pakistan.
Military coup ousts her father
General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq led a military coup that deposed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (her father) shortly after her return.
Became titular head of PPP and detained repeatedly
After her father's execution she became a leading figure and titular head of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP); endured repeated house arrests and imprisonments (1979–1984).
Father executed
Her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed by the military government, an event that propelled Benazir into national leadership of the PPP.
Left Pakistan for medical treatment / exile
Allowed to leave Pakistan in 1984 for medical treatment; settled in London and became leader-in-exile of PPP.
Brother Shahnawaz dies in France
Younger brother Shahnawaz died under mysterious circumstances in Paris (July 1985); she returned for his burial and was again arrested.
Elected co-chair of PPP
Along with her mother Nusrat Bhutto, she became co-chair of the Pakistan People’s Party as it reactivated inside Pakistan.
Returned to Pakistan (April 10, 1986)
Returned from exile to Pakistan after martial law restrictions eased; greeted by vast crowds and led a nationwide campaign for democracy (Movement for the Restoration of Democracy).
Married Asif Ali Zardari
Married Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi (wedding late 1987); marriage later became politically consequential as Zardari was accused of taking commissions.
Autobiography published: Daughter of the East (1988)
Published autobiography (also titled Daughter of Destiny in 1989), chronicling her upbringing and political convictions.
Death of Zia-ul-Haq (plane crash)
President/martial-law ruler Gen. Zia-ul-Haq died in a plane crash on Aug 17, 1988, creating a political opening for democratic elections.
PPP wins largest bloc in general election (Nov 1988)
PPP won the single largest bloc of seats in the National Assembly in elections held after Zia's death.
Became Pakistan's first female prime minister
Sworn in as prime minister (Dec 1–2, 1988) — first woman elected head of a democratic government in a Muslim-majority nation.
Hosted SAARC summit in Islamabad
As prime minister, hosted the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation meeting in Islamabad (Dec 1988).
Coalition instability and MQM withdrawal
Coalition partners (notably MQM) withdrew support amid ethnic tensions in Sindh, constraining legislative agenda.
Gave birth while in office (child born 1990)
Gave birth to daughter Bakhtawar in 1990 while serving as an elected national leader — noted as historically significant.
Dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan (Aug 1990)
President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed her government on charges of corruption and misgovernance under the Eighth Amendment.
PPP defeated in October 1990 elections
In elections doctored and influenced by intelligence services, the conservative IJI won and Nawaz Sharif became prime minister; Bhutto became Leader of the Opposition.
Returned as prime minister (Oct 1993)
PPP won plurality in Oct 1993 elections; Bhutto sworn in for second term as prime minister (often cited Oct 19, 1993).
Domestic policy: population control program
Implemented a population control program recruiting and training some 50,000 women to work in villages (described in interviews and retrospectives).
U.S. visit; Brown amendment (Sept 1994)
Visited the United States; U.S. Senate passage of the Brown amendment on Sept 21, 1994 released military equipment to Pakistan after discussions during her visit.
Bought Surrey mansion
Reported purchase of a 20-room mansion in Surrey, England for approximately $4.35 million (1995).
Reported failed coup attempt and domestic instability
Her second term saw mounting instability including a reported failed coup attempt in 1995 and political unrest.
Brother Murtaza Bhutto killed (Sept 20, 1996)
Her brother Mir Murtaza Bhutto was killed in a police ambush in Karachi amid accusations and a family feud that damaged her political standing.
Dismissed by President Farooq Leghari (Nov 5, 1996)
President Leghari dismissed her government, citing mismanagement and corruption charges; National Assembly dissolved.
PPP suffers heavy defeat (1997 election)
PPP lost decisively in the 1997 elections to Nawaz Sharif's PML-N amid low voter turnout and corruption allegations.
Swiss accounts frozen ($13.7M)
Swiss authorities froze more than $13.7 million found in Bhutto's seven Geneva accounts amid money-laundering investigations.
Self-exile begins (late 1990s)
Faced with legal cases and political pressure after 1999 coup by Pervez Musharraf and her conviction, Bhutto went into self-imposed exile in London and Dubai (late 1990s).
Convicted in Lahore court (April 1999)
Bhutto and her husband were convicted in Pakistan on corruption charges and sentenced (reported 5 years for Bhutto and fines; conviction later overturned by Supreme Court in 2001 due to interference).
Delivered talks and international lectures (2000s)
Spoke at international forums including the Academy of Achievement (2000) and various universities (Trinity College symposium 2002).
Academy of Achievement Golden Plate / Icon of Democracy (2000)
Received recognition (Golden Plate Award / feature as Icon of Democracy) at Achievement Summit events in 2000.
Pakistan Supreme Court overturns conviction (2001)
Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned the 1999 convictions citing governmental interference (restored some legal standing).
Musharraf constitutional changes and PPP splits
Pervez Musharraf's 2002 decree barred prime ministers from serving a third term; PPP registered a legally distinct branch (Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians, PPPP) to participate in elections.
Swiss court conviction (2003)
A widening corruption inquiry produced a conviction in a Swiss court in 2003 related to alleged money laundering (subject to appeals and legal disputes).
Asif Ali Zardari released on bail (Nov 2004)
Her husband Asif Ali Zardari was released from prison on bail in November 2004 and rejoined Bhutto in exile.
World Tolerance Award (Nov 2005)
Received the World Tolerance Award at the Women's World Awards ceremony in Leipzig, Germany (photo captions and coverage).
Negotiated amnesty with Musharraf
In negotiations mediated in part by the U.S., President Pervez Musharraf granted Bhutto an amnesty on outstanding corruption charges enabling her planned return (amnesty was legally challenged by Pakistan Supreme Court).
Announced candidacy for 2008 elections
Declared intention to run and the PPP issued a manifesto in December 2007; campaigned on civilian oversight of the military and opposition to Islamist violence.
Named political successor and party leadership changes
Her political testament named son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as successor; Asif Ali Zardari became acting chairman until Bilawal completed studies.
Returned to Pakistan (Oct 18, 2007) — homecoming attack
Returned from Dubai to Karachi after eight years in exile; a suicide attack on her motorcade killed scores (reports ~136) and marked a violent homecoming.
Musharraf declares state of emergency (Nov 3, 2007)
President Musharraf declared a state of emergency; Bhutto was placed under house arrest (reported Nov 9) while political unrest intensified.
Assassinated after Rawalpindi rally (Dec 27, 2007)
Shot and then a suicide blast occurred after she left a campaign rally in Rawalpindi; she died en route to hospital. Attack also killed dozens of bystanders.
Funeral and burial at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh
Hundreds of thousands mourned; she was buried in the Bhutto family mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Sindh, beside her father.
Posthumous publication: Reconciliation (2008)
Her book Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West was published posthumously in 2008.
PPP wins 2008 parliamentary elections (Feb 2008)
Following Bhutto's assassination the PPP won a decisive victory in the delayed parliamentary elections, riding a sympathy surge.
Yousaf Raza Gillani becomes prime minister (March 2008)
PPP formed government; Yousaf Raza Gillani was chosen as prime minister, carrying forward Bhutto's party legacy.
Asif Ali Zardari elected President of Pakistan (2008)
Bhutto's widower and acting party chief Asif Ali Zardari was elected President later in 2008, consolidating PPP influence after her death.
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