Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi in 2013, photo by Nadege/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Rangoon, British Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar)

Date of Birth: 19 June, 1945

Ethnicity: Burmese

Aung San Suu Kyi, also known as Suu Kyi, is a Burmese politician, diplomat, and author. She has been General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, since 27 September, 1988; as well as, Chairperson of the National League for Democracy, from 13 December, 2011 to 28 March, 2023, Leader of the Opposition, from 2 May, 2012 to 29 January, 2016, Minister of the President’s Office, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, both, from 30 March, 2016 to 1 February, 2021; Minister of Education, and Minister of Electricity and Energy, both, from 30 March, 2016 to 5 April, 2016, and State Counsellor of Myanmar, from 6 April, 2016 to 1 February, 2021. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1991.

Her father, Aung San (born Htein Lin), was a Myanmar politician, revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the Tatmadaw, and is considered Father of the Nation of modern-day Myanmar; he served as Premier of British Crown Colony of Burma, from 26 September, 1946 to 19 July, 1947, his assasination; as well as General Secretary of Communist Party of Burma, from 15 August, 1939 to 1940, Minister of War in the State of Burma and Deputy Prime Minister, from 1 August, 1943 to 27 March, 1945, and President of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League, from 27 March, 1945 to 19 July, 1947. Her mother, Khin Kyi, was a Burmese politician and diplomat. Her brother is engineer Aung San Oo. Her paternal uncle, Ba Win, was a politician, who was Minister of Trade. Her cousin, Sein Win, was also a politician, who was Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma.

She was married to British historian Michael Aris, until his death. The couple has two children, including activist Alexander Aris.

Her name Aung San comes from her father, Suu from her paternal grandmother, and Kyi from her mother.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s paternal grandfather was named U Phar. U is a title, meaning “uncle.” Phar was a lawyer.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s paternal grandmother was named Daw Suu. Daw is a title, meaning “aunt.”

Aung San Suu Kyi’s maternal grandfather was named Pho Hnyin.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s maternal grandmother was named Phwa Su.

Source: Genealogy of Aung San Suu Kyi – http://www.geni.com