HighlightWorld News

Syrian dictator Assad, wife living life of luxury while country in tatters

278

Despot Bashar al-Assad and his British-born wife, dubbed “the First Lady of Hell,” enjoy a lavish lifestyle while children are gassed to death on the streets of Syria.

The Syrian tyrant and his spouse Asma al-Assad own an opulent palace estimated to be worth $1 billion in Damascus — less than 10 miles from Eastern Ghouta where innocent people are being massacred by pro-government forces.

Once known as Syria’s Princess Diana, Asma is now a reviled figure in her own country.

In 2012, Wikileaks published private emails from the 42-year-old Brit showing she had splashed out $350,000 on 130 pieces of furniture when the bloody civil war had been raging for one year.

She also bought a pair of $7,000 shoes with crystal-encrusted heels and had the goods shipped to Dubai, to get around sanctions.

Karim Farman, Chairman of Paris-Based Arab Woman Studies Center (L), and member Shakour Al-Ghomari, give Syria's first lady Asma al-Assad (C) the Center's prize of the Arab First Lady of 2008, in Damascus August 27, 2008. The prize was awarded to al-Assad for her role in sponsoring National projects aimed at enhancing education and development in rural areas in Syria. The prize is awarded in cooperation with the Arab League.REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA) - GM1E48S094G01

August 27, 2008: Karim Farman, Chairman of Paris-Based Arab Woman Studies Center, left, and member Shakour Al-Ghomari, right, give Syria’s first lady Asma Assad the Center’s prize of the Arab First Lady of 2008, in Damascus. The prize was awarded to Assad for her role in sponsoring National projects aimed at enhancing education and development in rural areas in Syria.  (Reuters)

The murderous pair’s ultra-modern presidential mansion — commissioned in 1979 and designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange — is thought to have cost up to $1 billion.

A report in 1989 claims one single room was fitted with 125,000 marble tiles costing a total of $10.6 million.

Yet despite its extraordinary cost, the 340,000-square-foot home has barely been used since the start of the civil war as its location on top of a hill to the west of Damascus makes it an easy target for missiles.

And while Syria is ripped apart, the Assads continue to pump out propaganda on social media.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma (R) cast their votes in the country's presidential elections at a polling station in Damascus June 3, 2014, in this handout released by Syria's national news agency SANA. Syrians voted on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory for al-Assad in the midst of a devastating civil war but which his opponents have dismissed as a charade. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - GM1EA631JUX01

June 13, 2014: Syria’s President Bashar Assad and his wife Asma cast their votes in the country’s presidential elections at a polling station in Damascus.  (Reuters)

Their Instagram account boasts over 100,000 followers and shows Asma meeting and greeting people in fortified Damascus in sickening PR stunts.

The evil regime is determined to continue to try and paint Asma as the “rose in the desert” despite her husband carrying out 28 chemical weapon attacks since the civil war started in 2011.

Born Asma Akhras in 1975 in Acton, West London, her parents are both Sunni Muslims from Homs, the Syrian city located near the air base bombed on April 9, 2018.

After gaining degrees in computer science and French literature at Queen’s College London, Asma went into banking — working at Deutsche Bank Group as a hedge funds analyst.

She married Assad in a “secret” wedding in 2000 when he was 35 and she was just 25. They have three children.

The Sun

Leave a comment

Related Articles

ACF lauds Tinubu for NWDC, says it will usher in era of development

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a socio-cultural organization representing the 19 northern...

Just in: Obama endorses Kamala Harris

Former US President Barack Obama threw his support behind Vice President Kamala...

Shelve August 1’hunger’ protest, Afenifere urges organizers

A leading pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has urged Nigerians to...

Know athletes representing Nigeria at Paris 2024 Olympic Games

A team of 84 Nigerian athletes are to represent the nation in...

Southern governors forum Chair, Gov. Abiodun, mourns Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, Iwuanyanwu

Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Ogun Gov. Dapo Abiodun,...

Masterminds of Aug. 1 protest uncovered, says DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has uncovered the masterminds...

Protest: Pres. Tinubu holds emergency meeting with traditional rulers

A closed-door meeting is underway between President Bola Tinubu and traditional rulers...

Ohanaeze President-General, 81-year-old Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, exits

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is dead. Aged...

DHQ warns against violent protests nationwide

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Thursday that it has uncovered plots...

Dev. Commission will help tackle Southeast region’s marginalization, heal civil war wounds – Kalu, Uzodimma, Ohanaeze

The signing of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law yesterday...

LG autonomy, minimum wage, others: Nigerian governors in closed-door meeting in Abuja

The 36 state governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum...

Tinubu officially welcomes ex-Senate President Anyim to APC in Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu has formally welcomed former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim...

Abacha’s family appeals court’s judgment over revoked Abuja property

The Abacha family, represented by Dr. Maryam Abacha and her son, Mr....

Pres. Tinubu’s commitment to tackling oil theft, pipeline vandalism unwavering – Lokpobiri

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, has restated...

Protest: Reps advocate peaceful resolution, want FG to dialogue with would-be protesters

In a bid to stave off the planned nationwide protests scheduled for...

Nationwide protest: IPCR urges restraint

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ICPR) has urged Nigerians to...

Paris 2024: Two Canadian soccer team’s coaching staff deported over drone-spying scandal

After New Zealand informed police about the use of a drone to...

At last, NDLEA nabs long-sought Lagos drug cartel leader

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Wednesday that its...

Netflix raises subscription fees in Nigeria, the second in three months

by Ramlat Ibrahim Netflix has again announced another tariff hike for its...

Mass trial of terrorism suspects resumes – FG

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, has said...