| Son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi Date of Birth: 28.05.1973 |
Saadi Muammar Gaddafi was born in 1973 as the third son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He developed a passion for football at a young age, and his father granted him several concessions to pursue his hobby. In the mid-1990s, Saadi played for several Libyan and Italian football clubs, including Juventus and Lazio. He also became the president of the Libyan Football Federation in 1996.
Saadi's football career was marred by controversy. In 1996, his security forces fired on fans during a match between his club, Al-Ahli Tripoli, and Al-Ittihad, resulting in multiple deaths. He was also accused of using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for Perugia in Italy in 2003, leading to a three-month suspension.
While pursuing his football career, Saadi engaged in various business ventures. He represented the Libyan oil company Tamoil in Italy and spearheaded the creation of a free economic zone in Libya in 2006. In 2010, he founded a Hollywood production company, Natural Selection.
When the Libyan Civil War broke out in 2011, Saadi played a role in suppressing protests in Benghazi. However, he was forced to flee to Tripoli, where he made statements supporting his father's regime. He was later accused of committing war crimes and was targeted by the United Nations Security Council with travel and asset freezes.
After the fall of Tripoli in 2011, Saadi escaped to Niger. The International Criminal Court requested his arrest for alleged war crimes and misuse of public funds. Niger authorities refused to extradite him, but allowed Libyan officials to interview him.
Beyond football and politics, Saadi was known for his lavish lifestyle and reputation as a playboy. He married in 2001 and had several children. Despite his various interests and pursuits, Saadi Gaddafi remains a controversial figure, remembered both for his footballing ambitions and his involvement in his father's repressive regime.