Saddam Hussein was born on April 28, 1937, in the village of Al-Awja, near Tikrit, in Iraq. He was raised by his widowed mother after his father disappeared before he was born. Despite his difficult childhood, Saddam excelled in school and went on to attend law school at the University of Baghdad.
After completing three years of law school, Saddam Hussein became involved in the underground political movement of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. The party aimed to establish a single-party state in Iraq based on Pan-Arabism and socialism.
In 1968, Saddam Hussein played a key role in a military coup that brought the Ba'ath Party to power in Iraq. Over the next decade, he consolidated his control over the country, eventually becoming the President of Iraq in 1979. Saddam ruled Iraq with an iron fist, using violent repression and propaganda to maintain his grip on power.
During his time in power, Saddam Hussein launched a brutal campaign against his perceived enemies, including the Kurdish population in northern Iraq and the Shi'ite Muslims in the south. In 1982, nearly 150 Shi'ite Muslims were executed in retaliation for an assassination attempt against Saddam.
Saddam Hussein was married to his cousin, Sajida Talfah, and together they had five children. Two sons, Uday and Qusay, and three daughters, Raghad, Rana, and Hala. Uday and Qusay were known for their violent and erratic behavior, often carrying out brutal acts of violence on behalf of their father's regime.
Despite his ruthless reputation, Saddam Hussein was known for his lavish lifestyle, often living in opulent palaces and indulging in extravagant hobbies such as collecting rare cars and fine art.
In 2003, the United States led an invasion of Iraq, citing Saddam Hussein's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction as the main justification. After a months-long manhunt, Saddam was captured by US forces in December 2003 and brought to trial for his crimes against humanity.
In 2006, Saddam Hussein was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. Despite appeals for clemency, he was executed on December 30, 2006, bringing an end to his brutal reign over Iraq.
Saddam Hussein remains a controversial figure in Iraqi history, with some viewing him as a brutal dictator who oppressed his people, while others see him as a nationalist leader who stood up to Western powers. His legacy continues to divide opinions in Iraq and the wider Middle East, with some still mourning his downfall and others glad to see him brought to justice.