Dr. Muhammad Yunus Turns 85: A Brief Life Sketch of the Nobel Laureate

Today marks the 85th birthday of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Chief Advisor of the interim government. He was born on June 28, 1940, in Bathua village of Hathazari, Chattogram. His parents were Dula Miah Soudagar and Sufia Khatun. Dr. Yunus is married to Professor Dina Afroz, and the couple has two daughters.

Dr. Yunus was a brilliant student from the beginning. He completed his matriculation from Chattogram Collegiate School, securing 16th place among 39,000 students across the then East Pakistan. He pursued his higher secondary education at Chattogram College, followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka.

In 1961, Dr. Yunus began his professional career as a lecturer in economics at Chattogram College. In 1965, he went to the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship and earned his PhD in Economics from Vanderbilt University in 1971.

That same year, during the Bangladesh Liberation War, he played a significant role in the United States by forming a citizens' committee and operating the Bangladesh Information Center, advocating for Bangladesh’s independence.

Dr. Yunus is globally recognized as the founder of Grameen Bank and a pioneer of microfinance, which has empowered millions of people around the world, especially women, to escape poverty.