Aung San Suu Kyi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
အောင်ဆန်းစုကြည်
Aung San Suu Kyi in 2019
State Counsellor of Myanmar
In office 6 April 2016 – 1 February 2021
President	Htin Kyaw Win Myint
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Min Aung Hlaing (as Chairman of the State Administration Council)
Leader of the Opposition
In office 2 May 2012 – 29 January 2016
President	Thein Sein
Preceded by	Sai Hla Kyaw
Succeeded by	Thein Sein
Ministerial offices 2016–2021 Minister of the President's Office In office 30 March 2016 – 1 February 2021 President Htin Kyaw Win Myint Preceded by Aung Min Hla Tun Soe Maung Soe Thein Thein Nyunt Succeeded by Vacant Minister of Foreign Affairs In office 30 March 2016 – 1 February 2021 President Htin Kyaw Win Myint Preceded by Wunna Maung Lwin Succeeded by Wunna Maung Lwin Minister of Education In office 30 March 2016 – 5 April 2016 President Htin Kyaw Preceded by Khin San Yi Succeeded by Myo Thein Gyi Minister of Electricity and Energy In office 30 March 2016 – 5 April 2016 President Htin Kyaw Preceded by Khin Maung Soe Zeya Aung Succeeded by Pe Zin Tun
General Secretary of the National League for Democracy
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 September 1988
Preceded by	Office established
Chairperson of the National League for Democracy
In office 13 December 2011 – 28 March 2023
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Member of the House of Representatives for Kawhmu
In office 2 May 2012 – 30 March 2016
Preceded by	Soe Tint
Succeeded by	Vacant
Majority	46,73 (71.38%)
Personal details
Born	(1945-06-19) 19 June 1945 (age 80) Rangoon, British Burma
Political party	National League for Democracy
Spouse	Michael Aris ​ ​ (m. 1972; died 1999)​
Children	2, including Alexander Aris
Parents	Aung San (father) Khin Kyi (mother)
Relatives	Aung San Oo (brother) Ba Win (uncle) Sein Win (cousin)
Residence	54 University Avenue
Education	University of Delhi (BA) St Hugh's College, Oxford (BA) SOAS University of London (MPhil)
Occupation	politician diplomat author pro-democracy activist
Awards	Full list
Signature

Aung San Suu Kyi (born 19 June 1945), also known as Suu Kyi, is a politician from Myanmar (formerly Burma). She was the State Counsellor of Myanmar and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2021. She has been a key leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party since it started in 1988. She helped Myanmar move from military rule towards a more democratic government.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the youngest daughter of Aung San, who is seen as the founder of modern Myanmar. Her mother was Khin Kyi. She was born in Rangoon, which was then part of British Burma. She studied at the University of Delhi and St Hugh's College, Oxford. After college, she worked for the United Nations for three years. In 1972, she married Michael Aris and they had two sons.

Who is Aung San Suu Kyi?

Early Life and Family

Aung San Suu Kyi was born on June 19, 1945, in Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar. Her father, Aung San, was a very important leader. He helped Myanmar gain its independence from the United Kingdom. Sadly, he was assassinated in 1947 when Aung San Suu Kyi was very young.

She grew up with her mother, Khin Kyi, and two brothers. Her mother also became a political figure and was an ambassador to India and Nepal. Aung San Suu Kyi went to school in India and then studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford in the United Kingdom. She learned four languages: Burmese, English, French, and Japanese. She is a Theravada Buddhist.

After her studies, she worked for the United Nations in New York City. She married Michael Aris, a scholar, in 1972. They had two sons, Alexander and Kim. Her husband died in 1999. She was unable to see him in his final years because the government in Myanmar would not let her leave the country and return.

Becoming a Political Leader

Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Myanmar in 1988 to care for her sick mother. At this time, there were huge protests across the country for democracy. This period is known as the 8888 Uprising. She quickly became a leader in these protests.

On August 26, 1988, she spoke to half a million people in Yangon, calling for a democratic government. She helped create the National League for Democracy (NLD) party in September 1988. Her goal was to bring democracy to Myanmar using peaceful methods.

Fighting for Democracy

House Arrest and Nobel Peace Prize

Because of her growing influence, Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest by the military government in July 1989. This meant she was kept at home and could not leave. She was offered freedom if she left the country, but she refused. She wanted to stay and fight for her people.

In 1990, the military government held an election. Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the NLD, won a huge victory, getting 81% of the seats in Parliament. However, the military government refused to accept the results and did not give up power. This caused many countries around the world to criticize Myanmar.

While under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990. The next year, in 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee praised her for her "non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights." Her sons accepted the prize for her. She used the prize money to help people in Myanmar with health and education.

Aung San Suu Kyi spent almost 15 out of 21 years under house arrest between 1989 and 2010. She became one of the world's most famous political prisoners. During this time, she read books on philosophy and politics. She also played the piano.

Release and Elections

Aung San Suu Kyi was finally released from house arrest on November 13, 2010. This happened shortly after a general election that her party had boycotted.

In 2012, she ran for a seat in Parliament in a special election. She won, and her party won 43 out of 45 available seats. This made Aung San Suu Kyi the Leader of the Opposition.

In the 2015 Myanmar general election, her party, the NLD, won a huge victory again. They won enough seats to choose the next president and vice president. However, Myanmar's constitution had a rule that prevented her from becoming president because her late husband and children were foreign citizens.

To work around this, a new position was created just for her: State Counsellor of Myanmar. This role is similar to a prime minister or a head of government. She took office in March 2016, also serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Challenges and Later Years

Time as State Counsellor

As State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi met with leaders from many countries, including China, Canada, Italy, and Japan. She worked to build good relationships with these nations.

During her time in office, there were serious issues in Rakhine State involving the Rohingya people. Many countries and organizations criticized Myanmar's government for its actions. Aung San Suu Kyi defended the military's actions in international courts. Her government also faced criticism for how it handled journalists.

Arrest in 2021

On February 1, 2021, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested by Myanmar's military. This happened after the military claimed the November 2020 election results were fraudulent. This event was a military coup, where the military took control of the country again.

She was charged with several offenses. Many countries, including the United Nations and the United States, condemned her arrest and the military coup. They called for her immediate release and the return of democracy.

Since her arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi has been held in prison. Her health has been a concern, though military officials have stated she receives special attention. Her supporters and family continue to call for her release and proper medical care.

Political Ideas

Aung San Suu Kyi believes Myanmar can learn from many countries that have become democracies. She mentioned countries in Asia like South Korea and Taiwan, and countries in Eastern Europe that changed from communist rule. She also looked to Latin American countries that moved away from military governments, and South Africa after its period of strict rule. She believes Myanmar can learn from their successes and avoid their mistakes.

Supporting Organizations

Many organizations around the world have supported Aung San Suu Kyi and her fight for democracy.

• Freedom Now is a US-based group that worked to help free her from house arrest.
• International IDEA and ARTICLE 19 have also supported her.
• Universities like Vrije Universiteit Brussel and University of Oxford have given her special honorary degrees.
• The U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Burma Campaign UK are NGOs that raise awareness about Myanmar's struggles.
• The United Nations has often tried to help bring about talks between the military and Aung San Suu Kyi.
• She was an honorary member of The Elders, a group of global leaders started by Nelson Mandela, who called for her release.
• The Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, named after her mother, works to improve health, education, and living standards in Myanmar.

Health

Aung San Suu Kyi has had some health issues over the years. She had surgery in 2003 and minor surgeries in 2013 and 2016. Her doctors have said she has low blood pressure and can get tired easily. After her arrest in 2021, there were concerns about her health. While some reports say she is well, others suggest her health is worsening, especially with dental problems. Her son has asked the military to allow her to get medical help.

Books by Aung San Suu Kyi

• Freedom from Fear (1991)
• Letters from Burma (1991)
• Let's Visit Nepal (1985)

Honours

• List of awards and honours received by Aung San Suu Kyi

See Also

In Spanish: Aung San Suu Kyi para niños

• List of civil rights leaders
• List of Nobel laureates affiliated with Kyoto University
• State Counsellor of Myanmar
• List of foreign ministers in 2017
• List of current foreign ministers