Gurbanguly Myliktulievich Berdymukhammedov (born June 29, 1957, Babarab, Turkmenistan, U.S.S.R.) is a Turkmen politician and former dentist who served as president of Turkmenistan from 2006 to 2022. He also became chair of the People’s Council (Khalk Maslahaty) in 2021, continuing to play an influential role in the country’s political system after stepping down from the presidency.
The grandson of a respected schoolteacher, Berdymukhammedov studied dentistry at the Turkmen State Medical Institute, graduating in 1979. He worked as a dentist in Ashgabat, later studying therapeutic dentistry in Moscow, before returning in 1990 as a lecturer. His entry into government began in 1995 when he joined the Ministry of Health. By 1997 he had risen to minister of health, and in 2001 he was named deputy prime minister, overseeing health, science, and education.
Following the death of Saparmurad Niyazov (Turkmenbashi) in December 2006, Berdymukhammedov was appointed acting president by Turkmenistan’s Security Council. In February 2007, he won the presidential election with nearly 90% of the vote. Initially viewed as a potential reformer, he restored pensions, reinstated 10 years of schooling, and eased some travel restrictions. However, he soon began emulating Niyazov, cultivating his own personality cult with portraits and public spectacles, while maintaining tight authoritarian control.
His presidency was characterized by lavish construction projects in Ashgabat, the expansion of energy exports, and the start of the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline in 2015. Though projecting an image of modernization, genuine political liberalization did not materialize.
Berdymukhammedov was reelected in 2012 and 2017. Despite speculation that he intended to rule for life, health concerns after 2019 led him to step aside. In March 2022, his son Serdar Berdymukhammedov was elected president, ensuring a dynastic transfer of power. Gurbanguly retained influence as chair of the People’s Council, consolidating his family’s position at the top of Turkmenistan’s political hierarchy.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gurbanguly Myliktulievich Berdymukhammedov |
| Born | June 29, 1957, Babarab, Turkmenistan, U.S.S.R. |
| Age | 68 (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Dentist, Politician |
| Political Party | Democratic Party of Turkmenistan |
| Presidency | 2006–2022 |
| Other Roles | Minister of Health (1997–2001), Deputy Prime Minister (2001–06), Chair of People’s Council (2021– ) |
| Notable Policies | Expansion of Turkmenistan’s energy exports, launch of TAPI pipeline, continuation of personality cult |
| Successor | Serdar Berdymukhammedov (his son) |
| Legacy | Mixture of cautious reforms, authoritarian rule, dynastic transfer of power |
