TERROR CHIEF

Who was Osama Bin Laden and when did he die?

TERROR mastermind Osama Bin Laden was the leader of Al-Qaeda and the individual responsible for plotting the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001.  

He soon became the world's most wanted man as he evaded capture from US forces until his death ten years later on May 2, 2011. Here's everything you need to know.

Advertisement
Bin Laden was shot dead in a daring Navy SEAL raid on his Pakistan hideout in May 2011Credit: AP:Associated Press

Who was Osama Bin Laden?

Bin Laden was the leader of Islamic militant group Al-Qaeda and the man behind the September 11 attacks in ,  and .

Advertisement

He was born Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden on March 10, 1957, to a millionaire construction company owner from Yemeni in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Bin Laden had five wives, the first he married at the age of 17, with whom he fathered between 20 and 26 children during his lifetime.

Advertisement

The terror mastermind is infamous for plotting terrorist attacks, including the 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

When did Osama Bin Laden die?

Bin Laden was shot in the head in front of his screaming wife during a dramatic raid by US Special Forces in the early hours of May 2, 2011.

The 54-year-old bearded killer was gunned down by Navy Seal Team 6 - an elite unit known for its ruthlessness and bravery — in what was dubbed Operation Geronimo.

Advertisement

Seal Rob O'Neill claimed to have fired the killing shot on the terror kingpin, who had been taken off guard at his Pakistan hideout.

Months of CIA surveillance had discovered Bin Laden was holed up in a remote compound in Abbottabad.

Intelligence was presented to then-President Barack Obama, who ordered the daring helicopter raid.

Advertisement