Low profile for Syria’s first lady

Tom Watkins, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 7:57 AM EDT, Thu August 29, 2013
First lady of Syria Asma al-Assad attends an official dinner at Elysee Palace in Paris, on Jun 25, 2001. She grew up in London and has been married to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for 13 years. She worked for JP Morgan as an investment banker before marrying Bashar in 2000, six months after he became president.<br />
Syria's first lady —
First lady of Syria Asma al-Assad attends an official dinner at Elysee Palace in Paris, on Jun 25, 2001. She grew up in London and has been married to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for 13 years. She worked for JP Morgan as an investment banker before marrying Bashar in 2000, six months after he became president.
Pool MERILLON/SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, right, and wife Amsa al-Assad, second from left, speak with the Spanish Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos as they inaugurate the show "El Esplendor de los Omeyas Cordobeses," on May 3, 2001, in Cordoba, Spain.
Syria's first lady —
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, right, and wife Amsa al-Assad, second from left, speak with the Spanish Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos as they inaugurate the show "El Esplendor de los Omeyas Cordobeses," on May 3, 2001, in Cordoba, Spain.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
The first lady arrives at No. 10 Downing Street in London to urge a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis, on December 16, 2002.
Syria's first lady —
The first lady arrives at No. 10 Downing Street in London to urge a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis, on December 16, 2002.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Asma al-Assad visits her former school, Queens College in central London, on December 17, 2002.
Syria's first lady —
Asma al-Assad visits her former school, Queens College in central London, on December 17, 2002.
The first couple meets with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in London, on December 17, 2002.
Syria's first lady —
The first couple meets with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in London, on December 17, 2002.
KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images
Bashar al-Assad and Asma al-Assad pose for photographers during their visit to Acropolis archaeological site in Athens, Greece, on December 15, 2003.
Syria's first lady —
Bashar al-Assad and Asma al-Assad pose for photographers during their visit to Acropolis archaeological site in Athens, Greece, on December 15, 2003.
FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Al-Assad attends the first national childhood conference on February 8, 2004, in Aleppo, Syria. The first lady opened the conference with a speech on the status of children and called on parents to listen to their offspring and help them develop their full potential.
Syria's first lady —
Al-Assad attends the first national childhood conference on February 8, 2004, in Aleppo, Syria. The first lady opened the conference with a speech on the status of children and called on parents to listen to their offspring and help them develop their full potential.
Salah Malkawi/Getty Images
The first lady walks in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, on March 8, 2004.
Syria's first lady —
The first lady walks in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, on March 8, 2004.
Salah Malkawi/Getty Images
Duchess Camilla speaks with Asma al-Assad in Damascus, Syria, on March 22, 2004.
Syria's first lady —
Duchess Camilla speaks with Asma al-Assad in Damascus, Syria, on March 22, 2004.
Eric TRAVERS/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
The first lady attends an Arab women and war conference on March 8, 2004, in Beirut, Lebanon.
Syria's first lady —
The first lady attends an Arab women and war conference on March 8, 2004, in Beirut, Lebanon.
Al-Assad gets an honorary doctorate from Roberto Antonelli, the president of Rome's La Sapienza University, on October 20, 2004, in the Syrian city of Ebla.
Syria's first lady —
Al-Assad gets an honorary doctorate from Roberto Antonelli, the president of Rome's La Sapienza University, on October 20, 2004, in the Syrian city of Ebla.
Asma al-Assad and husband tour the Old City in Damascus with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Amina on December 22, 2004.
Syria's first lady —
Asma al-Assad and husband tour the Old City in Damascus with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Amina on December 22, 2004.
LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images
During a visit to Moscow's New Names Foundation, Asma al-Assad was awarded with an honorary doctorate on January 25, 2005.
Syria's first lady —
During a visit to Moscow's New Names Foundation, Asma al-Assad was awarded with an honorary doctorate on January 25, 2005.
Salah Malkawi/Getty Images
The Syrian first lady waves under a portrait of her husband, right, and his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, during the opening ceremony of the Syrian Special Olympics in Damascus, Syria, on May 15, 2006.
Syria's first lady —
The Syrian first lady waves under a portrait of her husband, right, and his late father, former President Hafez al-Assad, during the opening ceremony of the Syrian Special Olympics in Damascus, Syria, on May 15, 2006.
LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images
The Syrian first couple plant a jasmine bush in old Damascus on April 27, 2007.
Syria's first lady —
The Syrian first couple plant a jasmine bush in old Damascus on April 27, 2007.
LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images