Malala Yousafzai Biography: Education, Husband, Age, Children, Nationality, Awards

Malala Yousafzai is one of the most recognizable names in modern human-rights activism. Her story — a mix of childhood courage, a near-fatal attack, global advocacy, and international recognition — has made her an emblem for the right of girls to go to school.

This biography traces Malala’s life from her birth in the Swat Valley through the events that propelled her into the global spotlight and into her continuing work to expand educational opportunity worldwide.

Profile

• Full Name: Malala Yousafzai
• Born: July 12, 1997
• Age: 28 years old (as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Mingora, Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Nationality: Pakistani
• Occupation: Activist, Author, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• Religion: Islam
• Parents: Ziauddin Yousafzai (father), Toor Pekai Yousafzai (mother)
• Siblings: Khushal Yousafzai, Atal Yousafzai
• Spouse: Asser Malik (m. 2021)
• Net Worth: Approximately $2 million (estimated)

Early Life and Family

Malala Yousafzai was born on 12 July 1997 in Mingora in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was an educator and school owner who believed strongly in girls’ education — an influence that shaped Malala’s values from a very young age. Raised in a Pashtun family, Malala learned Pashto, Urdu and English and grew up in a household where education and discussion were encouraged.

First Steps into Activism

Malala’s public activism began early. As Taliban activity increased in Swat around 2008, girls’ schools were closed and educational freedoms were curtailed. At age eleven, Malala began speaking up — most notably by writing an anonymous BBC Urdu blog that described life under Taliban rule and argued for girls’ right to learn. That diary and the international coverage that followed introduced Malala to a worldwide audience.

The 2012 Attack and Recovery

On 9 October 2012, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while riding a bus home from school after taking an exam — an assassination attempt that was intended to silence her activism. She was critically injured and flown to the United Kingdom for medical care; her survival and recovery became a global story and sparked an outpouring of support for her cause.

Rise to International Prominence

Following her recovery, Malala continued her campaign for education. She co-founded the Malala Fund, an organization focused on advocacy and investment to ensure girls around the world can access 12 years of quality education; the Fund works to influence policy and support local education leaders. Her continued visibility — speeches at the United Nations, interviews, and public appearances — amplified her message and helped mobilize global attention and funding for girls’ education.

Books, Media, and the Story Told

Malala co-wrote her memoir I Am Malala, published in October 2013, which recounted her childhood, the rise of the Taliban in Swat, the attack, and her ongoing activism. The book helped educate millions about the challenges girls face when denied schooling and broadened Malala’s reach into classrooms and conversations worldwide.

Nobel Prize and Awards

In 2014, at the age of 17, Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize — shared with Indian activist Kailash Satyarthi — for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. She became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate.

Education and Later Life

Malala continued her studies in the United Kingdom and later attended the University of Oxford, where she completed a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) in 2020. Her academic success underscored the very principle she champions: that education empowers young people to shape their futures.

The Malala Fund — Strategy and Impact

The Malala Fund focuses on policy advocacy, funding local activists (called “Local Education Champions”), and driving public awareness of barriers to education. The Fund works primarily in countries where girls’ education is most at risk, supporting community-based solutions and pushing for laws and policies that guarantee girls the right to learn.

FAQs

Who is Malala Yousafzai?

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani-born education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who campaigns for girls’ right to education worldwide.

When and where was Malala born?

She was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Swat Valley, Pakistan.

What happened to Malala in 2012?

On October 9, 2012, she was shot by a Taliban gunman while on a school bus — she survived and later recovered in the UK.

What is the Malala Fund?

The Malala Fund is the non-profit founded to advocate for girls’ education globally and to support local education leaders.

Has Malala written any books?

Yes — she co-wrote the memoir I Am Malala, published in October 2013.

Did Malala receive a Nobel Prize?

Yes — she was co-awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 with Kailash Satyarthi.

Where did Malala study university?

She attended the University of Oxford and completed a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 2020.

Conclusion

Malala Yousafzai’s biography is not simply the story of a single brave girl — it’s a contemporary example of how education and activism can intersect to produce global movements for justice. From the classrooms of Swat to the stage of the Nobel ceremony, Malala’s life demonstrates the power of education to transform individuals and societies. Her work — through the Malala Fund, public speaking, and writing — keeps the focus on one simple but profound truth: when girls can learn, the world gets better. The long-term impact of her advocacy will be measured in the classrooms opened, the policies changed, and the lives altered by the right to learn.