What are the vital facts about Osama bin Laden?
Born: July 30, 1957, the 17th of 20 sons of a now deceased Saudi construction magnate of Yemeni origin. Background: Bin Laden gained prominence during the Afghan war against the Soviet Union. In 1989, when the war ended, he returned to Saudi Arabia to work in the family business, the Bin Laden Construction Group, but his radical Islamic contacts caused friction with Saudi authorities. As a result of his opposition to the ruling Al Saud family, Saudi Arabia revoked his citizenship in 1994 and his family disavowed him, though some of his brothers have reportedly maintained contact. In 1996, under strong U.S. and Egyptian pressure, Sudan expelled him and he returned to Afghanistan, where he lived under the protection of the Taliban. On June 7, 1999, bin Laden was place on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List and a $5 million reward was offered for his capture. The reward was increased to $25 million after the 9/11 attacks. Education: Bin Laden received a degree in public administration in 1981
