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Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden was a Saudi-born militant Islamist and the founder of al-Qaeda, the transnational extremist organization responsible for numerous attacks, including the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Osama bin Laden was a Saudi-born militant Islamist and the founder of al-Qaeda, the transnational extremist organization responsible for numerous attacks, including the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. He was killed by U.S. forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011.

Early life

Bin Laden was born in Riyadh in 1957 into a wealthy Saudi family connected to the construction business. Sources describe his upbringing as privileged before his radicalization in adulthood.

Al-Qaeda and militancy

He founded al-Qaeda in 1988 and became its first leader. The organization carried out or inspired attacks against U.S. and other Western targets, most notably the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Hiding and death

U.S. intelligence identified him as likely living in a compound in northern Pakistan, and U.S. forces raided the compound on May 2, 2011. He was shot and killed during the operation in Abbottabad.

Legacy

Bin Laden became one of the most notorious figures in modern terrorism and a central target of U.S. counterterrorism efforts after 2001. His death marked the end of a decade-long manhunt.

Key facts

  • Founded al-Qaeda in 1988 and led it until his death.
  • Was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1957.
  • Was linked to major terrorist attacks, including the 2000 USS Cole bombing and the September 11 attacks.
  • Was located by U.S. intelligence in a compound in northern Pakistan before the raid.
  • Was killed during Operation Neptune Spear on May 2, 2011.
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Canadian context

Bin Laden’s actions had global security consequences, including for Canada through post-9/11 counterterrorism policy, intelligence cooperation, aviation security, and military and diplomatic responses to al-Qaeda-linked threats.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Osama bin Laden?
He was a Saudi-born militant Islamist and the founder of al-Qaeda, the extremist group responsible for many attacks, including the September 11, 2001 attacks.
How old was Osama bin Laden when he died?
He was 54 years old when he died on May 2, 2011.
What happened to Osama bin Laden?
U.S. forces raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011, and killed him during the operation.
Where was Osama bin Laden found?
He was found in a compound in Abbottabad, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
How did Osama bin Laden die?
He died from gunshot wounds during the U.S. raid on his compound.
What was Osama bin Laden's net worth?
Sources in the provided results do not give a verified net worth figure. Some accounts note he inherited about US$30 million from his father, but that is not the same as a documented net worth.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Osama-bin-Laden
    Supports: Birth, death, founding of al-Qaeda, and role in major terrorist attacks.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden
    Supports: Birth date, death date, age at death, and cause of death.
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/osama-bin-laden
    Supports: U.S. intelligence locating him in northern Pakistan and the 2011 raid that killed him.
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/world/osama-bin-laden-fast-facts
    Supports: Birth and death dates and the account of the 2011 raid.
  5. William J. Clinton Presidential Library — https://www.clintonlibrary.gov/research/osama-bin-laden-and-al-qaida
    Supports: Al-Qaeda background and the inherited wealth figure of US$30 million.
  6. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/articles/osama-bin-laden
    Supports: Death reporting and burial at sea.