Prabowo Subianto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency General (Hn.) (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto
Official portrait, 2024
8th President of Indonesia
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 October 2024
Vice President	Gibran Rakabuming Raka
Preceded by	Joko Widodo
26th Minister of Defense
In office 23 October 2019 – 20 October 2024
President	Joko Widodo
Deputy	Sakti Wahyu Trenggono (2019–2020) Muhammad Herindra (2020–2024)
Preceded by	Ryamizard Ryacudu
Succeeded by	Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
2nd General Chairman of the Gerindra Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 September 2014
Preceded by	Suhardi [id]
Military offices 22nd Commander of Kostrad In office 20 March 1998 – 22 May 1998 President Suharto B. J. Habibie Preceded by Lt. Gen. Sugiono Succeeded by Johnny Lumintang (acting) Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago 15th Commandant General of Kopassus In office 1 December 1995 – 20 March 1998 President Suharto Preceded by Brig. Gen. Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo Succeeded by Maj. Gen. Muchdi Purwopranjono
Personal details
Born	Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo (1951-10-17) 17 October 1951 (age 73) Jakarta, Indonesia
Political party	Gerindra
Other political affiliations	Golkar (until 2008)
Spouse	Siti Hediati Hariyadi ​ ​ (m. 1983; sep. 1998)​
Children	Didit Hediprasetyo
Parents	Sumitro Djojohadikusumo (father) Dora Marie Sigar (mother)
Relatives	Hashim Djojohadikusumo (younger brother) Sudradjad Djiwandono (brother-in-law)
Residence	Merdeka Palace
Education	The American School in London
Alma mater	Indonesian Military Academy
Occupation	Politician army officer businessperson
Signature
Nicknames	08 Pandu
Military service
Allegiance	Indonesia
Branch/service	Indonesian Army
Years of service	1974–1998
Rank	General (honorary)
Unit	Special Forces (Kopassus)
Commands	Kopassus Kostrad
Battles/wars	Operation Lotus Insurgency in East Timor Papua conflict Operation Mapenduma
Service no.	27082

Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo (born 17 October 1951) is an Indonesian politician and businessman. He used to be a general in the Indonesian Army. Since 20 October 2024, he has been the eighth president of Indonesia. Before becoming president, he was the Minister of Defense for Indonesia from 2019 to 2024, serving under President Joko Widodo. Prabowo is one of Indonesia's presidents who also had a military background.

Prabowo's Family and Early Life

Prabowo, 12 years old (standing right), with his siblings and grandparents, Margono Djojohadikusumo and Siti Katoemi Wirodihardjo

Prabowo's father, Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, was an economist. He worked as a minister for former President Suharto. Prabowo's father named him after his own younger brother, who was a hero. This uncle died fighting against the Japanese during the Indonesian National Revolution.

Prabowo's mother, Dora Maria Sigar, was from North Sulawesi. His parents got married in the Netherlands. Prabowo has two older sisters, Bianti and Maryani, and one younger brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. His sister Bianti is married to Joseph Soedradjad Djiwandono, who was the Governor of Bank Indonesia.

From 1966 to 1968, Prabowo and his family lived in London. He went to The American School in London. His father encouraged him to join the military. Prabowo looked up to Atatürk, a famous Turkish military leader.

Prabowo's grandfather, Margono Djojohadikusumo, started Bank Negara Indonesia. He was also an important leader in Indonesia's early government.

In 1983, Prabowo married Siti Hediati Hariyadi, who is the daughter of former President Suharto. They have one son, Didit Hediprasetyo, who is a designer in Paris.

Prabowo's Career Journey

Prabowo with U.S. defense secretary Mark Esper in November 2019

Prabowo inspecting Indonesian soldiers in October 2021

Prabowo with U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin in June 2022

Prabowo Subianto finished his studies at the Indonesian Military Academy in 1970. He mostly served in the Special Forces, known as Kopassus. Later, in 1998, he was chosen to lead the Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad).

After leaving the military, Prabowo started working in business with his brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. He bought a company called Kiani Kertas, which makes paper pulp. This company is located in East Kalimantan. Today, Prabowo's Nusantara Group owns many companies both in Indonesia and other countries. These companies work in areas like oil, natural gas, coal, palm oil, and fishing.

Prabowo changed the name of Kiani Kertas to Kertas Nusantara. This company was started in 1990. It has a large area for paper mills, homes for employees, and schools. The company is known for its high quality.

In 2008, Prabowo and his friends started a political party called the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra). This party chose Prabowo to run for president in the 2009 elections. Prabowo was the richest candidate in that election. However, his party did not win enough seats in parliament. So, Prabowo ran as a vice presidential candidate with Megawati Soekarnoputri. They got 27% of the votes but lost to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Prabowo ran for president again in the 2014 election. He was defeated by Joko Widodo, who was the Governor of Jakarta at the time. He tried for president one more time in 2019 with Sandiaga Uno as his running mate. He had support from several parties, including Gerindra. After this election, Prabowo Subianto joined the government as the Minister of Defense. He served in this role from 2019 to 2024.

2024 Presidential Election

Prabowo with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu as chief guest of the Republic Day celebration, 2025

On 7 January 2023, Prabowo Subianto announced he would run for president for the third time in the 2024 election. On 14 February 2024, early reports showed that Prabowo was leading the votes. He won the election and promised to be a president for all Indonesians. He also said he would form a government with the best people from Indonesia.

Awards and Honours

Prabowo Subianto's official portrait with his presidential decorations

When Prabowo became president, he automatically received the highest awards for civilians and military members. He had already received many awards before this, while he was the Minister of Defense.

National Awards

• Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 1st Class – 2024
• Star of Mahaputera, 1st Class – 2024
• Star of Mahaputera, 2nd Class – 2024
• Star of Merit, 1st Class – 2024
• Star of Humanity – 2024
• Star of Democracy Upholder, 1st Class – 2024
• Star of Budaya Parama Dharma – 2024
• Star of Bhayangkara, 1st Class – 2024
• Guerilla Star – 2024
• Sacred Star – 2024
• Star of Dharma – 2024
• Star of Yudha Dharma, 1st Class – 2022
• Star of Kartika Eka Paksi, 1st Class – 2022
• Star of Jalasena, 1st Class – 2022
• Star of Swa Bhuwana Paksa, 1st Class – 2022
• Star of Peace Veteran – 2023

In addition, Prabowo also received other awards while serving as an Indonesian Army officer:

• Star of Kartika Eka Paksi, 2nd Class
• Star of Yudha Dharma, 3rd Class
• Star of Kartika Eka Paksi, 3rd Class
• Military Long Service Medal, 24 Years
• Military Operation Service Medal in Aceh
• Military Instructor Service Medal
• Military Operation Service Medal IX Raksaka Dharma w/ 1 gold star
• Timor Military Campaign Medal w/ 2 gold star
• Role Model Medal

International Awards

Ribbon	Award	Country	Date	Reference
	Commander of the National Order of Merit	France	1997
	Knight of the Royal Order of Sahametrei	Cambodia	Unknown
	Grand Cordon of the Order of Military Merit	Jordan	Unknown
	Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (Datuk Seri) (DGSM)	Malaysia	26 July 2022
	Distinguished Service Order (Military)	Singapore	21 November 2023
	Collar of the Order of Zayed	United Arab Emirates	13 May 2024
	Grand Collar of the Order of the Sun of Peru	Peru	14 November 2024
	Grand Commander of the Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I)	Malaysia	27 January 2025

Images for kids

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  Indonesian Army's Nanggala commando unit in East Timor led by Prabowo Subianto

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  Prabowo Subianto opens the 2011 Pencak Silat SEA Games tournament held in Taman Mini, Jakarta. He is the Chairman of Indonesia's pencak silat organization.

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  Prabowo Subianto accepts the Gerindra Party's nomination rally for the 2014 presidential election in Lembah Hambalang, on 17 March 2012

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  Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on 11 October 2019

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  Inauguration of Prabowo Subianto as Minister of Defense, 2019

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  Prabowo with South Korean Minister of National Defense, Lee Jong-sup on April 2021.

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  Prabowo at the Shangri-La dialogue, 1 June 2023.

See also

In Spanish: Prabowo Subianto para niños