Assad’s wife, Asma al-Assad, has largely stayed away from the limelight. Known for her beauty and intellect, Asma married Bashar al-Assad in 2000. Before their marriage, she worked as an ...

Bashar became president in 2000 when his father, president Hafez al-Assad, died. At this point Asma and Bashar had begun a relationship and she was making monthly trips to Syria to see him.

Asma al-Assad is from a Sunni family whereas Bashar al-Assad belongs to the Shiite Alawite movement, ... Hapoel fans model new uniforms, with Hersh logo, in bomb shelters. By Jessica Steinberg.