Khaled Hosseini was born on March 4, 1965, in Kabul, Afghanistan. He grew up in a privileged household, as his father, Nasser Hosseini, served as a diplomat for the Afghan Foreign Ministry. However, his childhood was disrupted by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The family was forced to seek asylum in the United States, where they settled in San Jose, California.
Hosseini attended high school in San Jose and went on to study biology at Santa Clara University. He later pursued a medical degree at the University of California, San Diego. After completing his medical training, he worked as a physician in California for over a decade.
Despite his successful career in medicine, Hosseini had always been passionate about writing. He began working on his debut novel, The Kite Runner, in 2001. The book was published in 2003 and became an instant bestseller. The novel tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, and explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption.
Following the success of The Kite Runner, Hosseini published his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, in 2007. The book focuses on the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, and their struggles against oppression and abuse in war-torn Afghanistan.
In 2013, Hosseini released his third novel, And the Mountains Echoed. The book delves into themes of family, sacrifice, and the impact of choices made across generations.
In addition to his writing career, Hosseini is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Roya, have two children, Farah and Haris. The family currently resides in Northern California.
Throughout his career, Hosseini has remained deeply connected to his Afghan roots. He is actively involved in humanitarian efforts to support refugees and promote education in Afghanistan.
Khaled Hosseini's novels have had a profound impact on readers around the world. His powerful storytelling and vivid portrayal of Afghan culture have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated following of fans. His work continues to shed light on the complexities of life in Afghanistan and the resilience of its people.
As a bestselling author and advocate for social change, Hosseini's influence extends far beyond the literary world. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as human rights, immigration, and the refugee crisis.