Born in 1952 in Al Bayda, a city in eastern Libya, Safia Farkash grew up in a relatively modest environment. She trained as a nurse, a profession that shaped her early adult life and later informed her interest in healthcare-related initiatives. Her marriage to Muammar Gaddafi in 1970 came shortly after he seized power in a military coup the previous year. Over time, she became his second wife and the most prominent matriarch of the Gaddafi household. Safia Farkash was the mother of seven children: Saif al-Islam, Saadi, Hannibal, Mutassim, Khamis, Aisha, and Saif al-Arab Gaddafi.
She was widely regarded as fiercely protective of her children and played a central role in managing family dynamics. Observers often described her as one of the few people able to influence Muammar Gaddafi’s personal decisions, particularly those concerning family matters. Her son Saif al-Islam, once considered a potential reformist successor, was especially close to her. Safia was also known for maintaining strong loyalty within the family, particularly during times of political tension and international pressure.
