Prabowo Subianto
Who was Prabowo Subianto?
Eighth President of Indonesia since 2024 and former military general who previously served as Defense Minister under Joko Widodo.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Prabowo Subianto (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo, born on October 17, 1951, in Jakarta, Indonesia, had his early schooling at The American School in London and Victoria Institution. He then went to the Indonesian Military Academy, graduating in 1970. He started his military career in the Special Forces (Kopassus) and climbed the ranks over the years. His marriage to Titiek Suharto, the daughter of Indonesian President Suharto, linked him to a powerful political family during the New Order period.
Prabowo's military career peaked in 1998 as he took command of the Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) during the intense final years of the Suharto regime. However, his military service ended abruptly the same year when he was discharged amidst the political chaos of Suharto's resignation. This discharge also led to accusations of human rights abuses, resulting in a ban from the United States that affected his later political career.
After leaving the military, Prabowo's supporters formed the Gerindra Party in early 2008, giving him a political stage. He first ran for national office in 2009 as the vice-presidential candidate with Megawati Sukarnoputri, but they lost. He also ran unsuccessfully for president in 2014 and 2019, both times against Joko Widodo. These elections were controversial, with Prabowo challenging the results and refusing to accept the 2019 outcome, leading to protests and riots in Jakarta.
Despite previously being rivals, Prabowo joined Joko Widodo's cabinet as Defense Minister from 2019 to 2024. This role improved his public image and highlighted his leadership skills. His time as Defense Minister aligned with efforts to modernize Indonesia's military and tackle regional security issues. In 2024, Prabowo fulfilled his presidential aspirations by winning the election in the first round, becoming Indonesia's eighth president. At 72, he became the oldest first-term president in Indonesian history and the third with a military background, after Suharto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Throughout his career, Prabowo has earned several military and civilian awards, including the Star of the Kartika Eka Pakçi, Bintang Yudha Dharma, and international honors like France's Commander of the National Order of Merit in 1997. His business ventures have also brought him recognition, as seen in his inclusion in Tatler 500 Indonesia and being named one of Asia's Most Influential Indonesia in 2021.
Before Fame
Before gaining national attention, Prabowo grew up in Jakarta during Indonesia's early years of independence under President Sukarno. He attended The American School in London and Victoria Institution, where he was exposed to Western perspectives before deciding to pursue a military career at the Indonesian Military Academy. Prabowo started his military service in 1970, during the New Order era, a time of rapid economic growth under Suharto's authoritarian rule.
His rise to prominence was boosted by his role in Kopassus, Indonesia's elite special forces unit, which played a big part in domestic security and the country's expansion into East Timor. Marrying Titiek Suharto in the 1980s significantly raised his political profile, linking him directly to the ruling family at a time when military officers greatly influenced Indonesian politics and business.
Key Achievements
- Became Indonesia's eighth president in 2024 after winning the election in the first round
- Served as Defense Minister under Joko Widodo from 2019 to 2024
- Led Indonesia's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) in 1998
- Founded the Gerindra Party which became a major political force in Indonesian politics
- Rose through the ranks of Indonesia's elite Special Forces (Kopassus) during his military career
Did You Know?
- 01.He was banned from entering the United States due to alleged human rights violations during his military service
- 02.His marriage to Titiek Suharto made him the son-in-law of Indonesia's longest-serving president
- 03.He was discharged from the military in 1998, the same year his father-in-law President Suharto resigned
- 04.At age 72, he became the oldest person to serve as Indonesia's president for the first time
- 05.He received the Royal Family Order of Johor in 2025, reflecting his diplomatic relationships in Southeast Asia
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tatler 500 Indonesia | — | — |
| Asia's Most Influential Indonesia | 2021 | — |
| Royal Family Order of Johor | 2025 | — |
| Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang | 2023 | — |
| Commander of the National Order of Merit | 1997 | — |
| Royal Order of Sahametrei | — | — |
| Star of the Kartika Eka Pakçi | — | — |
| Bintang Yudha Dharma | 2022 | — |
| Bintang Swa Bhuwana Paksa Utama | 2022 | — |
| Star of Jalasena | 2022 | — |
| Bintang Dharma | 2024 | — |
| Bintang Sakti | 2024 | — |
| Bintang Gerilya | 2024 | — |
| Cultural Merit Star | 2024 | — |
| Star of the Upholder of Democracy | 2024 | — |
| Star of Humanities | 2024 | — |
| Bintang Jasa Utama | 2024 | — |
| Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana | 2024 | — |
| Bintang Mahaputera Adipurna | 2024 | — |
| Family Order of Laila Utama | 2025 | — |
| Order of Zayed | 2024 | — |
| Star of the Republic of Indonesia, First class | 2024 | — |
| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | 2025 | — |
| Grand Order of Mugunghwa | 2026 | — |