Aung San Suu Kyi's Milestones

Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who became an international symbol of peaceful resistance and led Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement for decades.
1945

Birth

Aung San Suu Kyi was born in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, to General Aung San and Khin Kyi.

Family June 19, 1945
1947

Father assassinated

Her father, General Aung San, leader of Burma's independence movement, was assassinated when she was two.

Family July 19, 1947
1960

Mother appointed ambassador to India

Her mother, Khin Kyi, was appointed Burmese ambassador to India; Suu Kyi lived in New Delhi during this period.

Other January 1, 1960 - January 1, 1967
1964

Attended University of Delhi

Graduated from the University of Delhi with a degree in politics.

Education January 1, 1964 - December 31, 1964

Attended University of Oxford

Studied philosophy, politics, and economics at St Hugh's College, University of Oxford.

Education October 1, 1964 - June 1, 1968
1969

Worked at UN

Worked for the United Nations in New York, mainly on budget and administrative matters.

Career January 1, 1969 - January 1, 1971
1971

Worked in Bhutan and Japan

Worked as a research officer in Bhutan and as an assistant secretary at the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, UN, in New York and Japan.

Career January 1, 1971 - December 31, 1972
1972

Married Michael Aris

Married British academic Michael Aris; had two sons, Alexander and Kim.

Relationship January 1, 1972
1988

Returned to Burma

Returned to Burma to care for her ailing mother, soon becoming involved in the pro-democracy movement.

Other April 1, 1988

Founded National League for Democracy

Co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Career September 27, 1988
1989

First house arrest

Placed under house arrest by the military government for her pro-democracy activities.

Other July 20, 1989 - July 10, 1995
1991

Published 'Freedom from Fear'

Published the collection 'Freedom from Fear' and other writings, highlighting her political philosophy.

Achievement January 1, 1991

Nobel Peace Prize

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights.

Achievement October 14, 1991
2000

Second house arrest

Placed under house arrest again for political activities and public support.

Other September 22, 2000 - May 6, 2002
2003

Third house arrest

Detained after the Depayin massacre and kept under house arrest until 2010.

Other May 30, 2003 - November 13, 2010
2010

Released from house arrest

Released after a total of 15 years under house arrest.

Other November 13, 2010
2012

Elected to Parliament

Elected to the Burmese Parliament, marking her formal entry into politics.

Achievement April 1, 2012
2016

State Counsellor of Myanmar

Served as State Counsellor (de facto head of government) until the 2021 military coup.

Career March 30, 2016 - February 1, 2021
2017

Rohingya crisis and international criticism

Faced international criticism for her government's handling of the Rohingya crisis and allegations of human rights abuses.

Other August 25, 2017 - February 1, 2021
2021

Detained after military coup

Detained by the military following the 2021 coup; remains under arrest as of June 2025.

Other February 1, 2021 - June 5, 2025

Legacy and influence

Continues to be a symbol of democracy and resilience in Myanmar, despite controversy and ongoing detention.

Achievement February 2, 2021 - June 5, 2025