Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was born on June 29, 1957, in Babarap village, in the Gökdepe district of present-day Turkmenistan. He is a Turkmen politician, former president, and dentist who served as the country's second president from February 14, 2007, to March 19, 2022. Previously Minister of Health and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, he assumed the presidency after the death of Saparmurat Niyazov. He won presidential elections in 2007, 2012, and 2017. In March 2022, his son Serdar Berdimuhamedow succeeded him as president. Since January 2023, he has chaired the Halk Maslahaty and held the official title of National Leader of the Turkmen People.

Early Life and Education

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was born on June 29, 1957, in Babarap village in the Gökdepe district of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, then part of the Soviet Union. His father was Mälikguly Berdimuhamedow, a former officer in the internal affairs services, and his mother was Ogulabat Berdimuhamedow.

In 1979, he graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at the Turkmen State Medical Institute in Ashgabat and began working in dentistry.

He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in medicine, including research in Moscow. He completed his medical doctorate in 1990.

Medical and Academic Career

Between 1990 and 1995, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow held academic positions at the dentistry faculty of the Turkmen State Medical Institute. He worked as an assistant, lecturer, and eventually dean of the faculty.

In 1995, he was appointed director of the Dental Centre of Turkmenistan's Ministry of Health and Medical Industry.

He continued holding academic and administrative positions in the medical education system until 1997, when he entered the national government.

During the 1990s, Berdimuhamedow also participated in the establishment of dental healthcare facilities. Accounts of his professional activities include a dental prosthetics enterprise named Stomadent, established in cooperation with Turkish dentist Ahmet Muhittin Türk.

Minister of Health and Deputy Prime Minister

In December 1997, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was appointed Minister of Health and Medical Industry under President Saparmurat Niyazov, who was widely known by the title Turkmenbashi.

He subsequently assumed additional responsibilities related to the development of medical institutions, including the Ashgabat International Medical Centre and the administration of the Turkmen State Medical Institute.

In April 2001, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, with responsibilities covering healthcare, education, and science. He continued serving as Minister of Health.

His responsibilities later expanded to include culture and the media. During Niyazov's presidency, the government introduced changes to the healthcare system, including closures and reorganizations of medical facilities outside the capital. These policies attracted criticism because of their effects on access to healthcare.

Berd Berdimuhamedow was a senior government official during the period when Niyazov introduced a personality cult centered on the Ruhnama, a book written by the president and promoted through the education system and state institutions.

Becoming Acting President in 2006

On December 21, 2006, President Saparmurat Niyazov died unexpectedly after ruling Turkmenistan since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Following Niyazov's death, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was appointed acting president and commander-in-chief of Turkmenistan's armed forces by the State Security Council.

Under the constitutional succession provisions then in force, parliamentary chairman Öwezgeldi Ataýew would ordinarily have assumed presidential duties. However, Ataýew was removed from office following criminal accusations, and Berdimuhamedow was appointed to the position instead.

The acting presidency placed Berdimuhamedow in charge of preparations for the country's first presidential election following Niyazov's death.

2007 Presidential Election

On February 11, 2007, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow competed against five other candidates in the presidential election.

According to the official results, he received 89.23 percent of the vote and was elected President of Turkmenistan.

He took the oath of office on February 14, 2007, becoming the country's second president since independence.

His inauguration was attended by international representatives, including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

Presidency of Turkmenistan (2007–2022)

After taking office, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow introduced changes to several policies established under Saparmurat Niyazov. His government restored the traditional names of the months and days of the week, which Niyazov had previously renamed, and reduced the formal educational role of the Ruhnama.

His administration also introduced changes to education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and public administration.

Turkmenistan's economy continued to rely heavily on natural gas production and exports. During Berdimuhamedow's presidency, the government pursued energy cooperation with China and other countries, including the expansion of pipeline infrastructure.

Major construction projects in the capital, Ashgabat, and other parts of the country were undertaken with government funding. The administration also invested in sports facilities, public buildings, and transport infrastructure.

2012 and 2017 Presidential Elections

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was re-elected on February 12, 2012. According to the official election results, he received 97.14 percent of the vote in a contest involving eight candidates.

During his second term, constitutional amendments approved in 2016 extended presidential terms from five to seven years and removed the upper age limit for presidential candidates.

On February 12, 2017, Berdimuhamedow won another presidential election, receiving approximately 97.69 percent of the vote according to official results.

International human rights organizations and independent observers criticized Turkmenistan's electoral system for its lack of genuine political competition, restrictions on independent media, and limited opportunities for opposition activity.

Human Rights and Political Restrictions

During Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's presidency, Turkmenistan remained under a highly centralized political system with restrictions on political opposition and independent public activity.

Organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International documented restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of association, independent journalism, and freedom of movement.

The government maintained extensive control over television, newspapers, and internet access. Independent political organizations faced significant obstacles to operating inside the country.

Berd Berdimuhamedow also developed an official public image associated with the title Arkadag, meaning Protector. State media frequently broadcast his appearances at public events, sporting activities, and performances.

Relations with Turkey

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow maintained diplomatic and economic relations with Turkey throughout his presidency.

On May 31, 2011, Turkish President Abdullah Gül visited Turkmenistan and held discussions with Berdimuhamedow concerning bilateral cooperation.

On February 29, 2012, Berdimuhamedow made an official visit to Turkey and met with President Abdullah Gül.

Relations between the two countries included trade, construction projects, energy cooperation, education, and cultural exchanges.

His contacts with Turkish leaders continued after he left the presidency. On June 29, 2026, he held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan concerning bilateral relations.

Transfer of the Presidency to Serdar Berdimuhamedow

In February 2022, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow announced that he would make way for a younger generation of political leaders.

An early presidential election was held on March 12, 2022. His son, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, won the election with 72.97 percent of the vote according to the official results.

On March 19, 2022, Serdar Berdimuhamedow was inaugurated as President of Turkmenistan, succeeding his father.

Following the transfer of the presidency, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow continued participating in the country's political administration through the Halk Maslahaty and other state institutions.

National Leader and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty

In January 2023, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow received the official title National Leader of the Turkmen People under a new constitutional law.

He also became Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, the People's Council of Turkmenistan.

The legislation granted the National Leader a permanent role in discussing matters of state policy, national security, and economic development. It also provided legal immunity for him and members of his family.

Despite leaving the presidency, Berdimuhamedow continued holding meetings with foreign officials and participating in international diplomacy.

In 2026, he remained Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty. On September 23, 2026, he chaired a meeting of the council in Ashgabat.

Personal Life

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow is married and has three children: two daughters and a son, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, who became President of Turkmenistan in 2022.

His interests include horse riding and sports. He has also published books on Turkmen culture, horses, medicine, and other subjects.

Political Career

1979 - Graduated from the Turkmen State Medical Institute, Faculty of Dentistry
1990–1995 - Academic and Administrative Positions in Dentistry
1995 - Director, Dental Centre, Ministry of Health
1997–2006 - Minister of Health and Medical Industry
2001–2006 - Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers
December 21, 2006 – February 14, 2007 - Acting President of Turkmenistan
February 14, 2007 – March 19, 2022 - President of Turkmenistan
February 12, 2012 - Re-elected President
February 12, 2017 - Re-elected President
March 19, 2022 - Transferred the Presidency to Serdar Berdimuhamedow
2023–Present - Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty
2023–Present - National Leader of the Turkmen People

Source: Biyografiler.com