Pervez Musharraf Net Worth

What was Pervez Musharraf's net worth and salary?

Pervez Musharraf was a Pakistani military officer and politician who had a net worth of $2 million at the time of his death in 2023.

A four-star general in the Pakistan Army, Musharraf rose to power through a bloodless military coup in 1999 and went on to become Pakistan's 10th president, ruling the country for nearly nine years. His tenure coincided with some of the most consequential geopolitical events of the early twenty-first century, including the September 11 attacks, the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, and Pakistan's emergence as a central but controversial ally in the global war on terror.

Musharraf simultaneously held extraordinary concentrations of power. Between 1998 and 2007, he served as Chief of Army Staff, while also acting as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee from 1998 to 2001. After toppling the civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf assumed the roles of Chief Executive and Minister of Defense before formally becoming president in 2001. He governed as a military-backed strongman who promoted economic liberalization and limited social reforms, while weakening civilian institutions and centralizing authority within the presidency and the armed forces.

Internationally, Musharraf was viewed as an indispensable partner to Washington after 9/11, even as critics accused his government of tolerating militant networks inside Pakistan. Domestically, he polarized the country. Supporters credited him with economic growth and relative stability, while opponents condemned his suspension of the constitution, curbs on judicial independence, and use of emergency rule. His political downfall culminated in resignation in 2008, followed by years of legal battles, exile, and a historic treason conviction. Musharraf died in Dubai in 2023 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind one of the most complex and contested legacies in Pakistan's modern history.

Early Life

Pervez Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943, in Delhi, British India, into an Urdu-speaking Muslim family. His parents, Zarin Musharraf and Syed Musharrafuddin, were well educated and socially mobile. His father had studied at Aligarh Muslim University and later joined the civil service, while his mother earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Indraprastha College at Delhi University.

During the upheaval surrounding the partition of India in 1947, the Musharraf family fled Delhi and relocated to the newly formed state of Pakistan. Syed Musharrafuddin later joined Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, which led to a diplomatic posting in Turkey. As a result, Pervez spent formative childhood years in Ankara, where he learned to speak Turkish and developed an admiration for secular Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whom he later cited as a major influence.

After returning to Pakistan, Musharraf attended St. Patrick's School in Karachi and later enrolled at Forman Christian College in Lahore, initially studying mathematics before developing an interest in economics.

Military Career

In 1961, Musharraf entered the Pakistan Military Academy, graduating in 1964 and receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in the artillery. He first saw combat during the 1965 war with India and was decorated for gallantry. Shortly afterward, he joined Pakistan's elite Special Service Group, serving as a commando officer during the 1971 conflict that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.

Over the following decades, Musharraf steadily rose through the ranks, holding command and instructional posts and teaching political science and war studies at military institutions. He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London and emerged as a senior officer during the 1990s, eventually commanding I Strike Corps in Mangla.

In 1998, Musharraf was promoted to four-star general and appointed Chief of Army Staff. The following year, he played a central role in the Kargil conflict with India. Later in 1999, after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attempted to remove him from command, Musharraf led a military coup that deposed the civilian government and placed the army firmly back in power.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Rise to Power and Presidency

Musharraf formally assumed the presidency in 2001 after issuing a legal order and later securing confirmation through a controversial referendum. His rule combined military dominance with limited democratic mechanisms, including controlled elections and handpicked civilian prime ministers.

After the September 11 attacks, Musharraf aligned Pakistan with the United States against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, a decision that brought billions in U.S. military aid but triggered fierce domestic backlash. His government pursued economic privatization, liberalized media laws, and enacted selective social reforms, including the 2006 Women's Protection Bill.

At the same time, Musharraf increasingly concentrated power, undermining judicial independence and suspending the constitution in 2007. His declaration of emergency rule marked a turning point, sparking mass protests and eroding support from both political parties and international allies. Facing imminent impeachment, Musharraf resigned on August 18, 2008.

Exile, Legal Troubles, and Treason Conviction

After leaving office, Musharraf lived in self-imposed exile in London and later Dubai. He returned to Pakistan in 2013, seeking a political comeback through elections, but was quickly entangled in criminal cases related to the deaths of Benazir Bhutto and Akbar Bugti, as well as his suspension of the constitution.

In 2019, a special court convicted Musharraf of high treason in absentia and sentenced him to death, an unprecedented ruling against a former military ruler. The verdict was later overturned by a higher court, but Musharraf remained abroad, citing severe health issues.

Personal Life

Musharraf married Sehba Farid in 1968, and the couple had two children, Ayla and Bilal. Ayla became an architect and later married Pakistani film director Asim Raza. Known for his candid personality, Musharraf enjoyed sports including golf, squash, sailing, and badminton. He was an avid bridge player and a student of military history, and he maintained a public image that often clashed with Pakistan's conservative religious norms.

Death

Pervez Musharraf died on February 5, 2023, in Dubai after a prolonged battle with amyloidosis. He was 79 years old. His body was flown to Pakistan, where he received military honors and was buried in an army graveyard following funeral prayers in Karachi.

Honors

During his lifetime, Musharraf received numerous Pakistani and international honors, including the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Tamgha-e-Basalat, and Jamhuriat Tamgha. He was also awarded Saudi Arabia's Order of King Abdul Aziz and the United Arab Emirates' Order of Zayed.

Who's Richer?

Pervez
Musharraf

Compare!

Benazir
Bhutto