# Mohamed Waheed Hassan

_Maldivian politician, 5th president of the Maldives_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/mohamed-waheed-hassan
Last updated: 2026-11-01

> Mohamed Waheed Hassan (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ވަޙީދު ޙަސަން; born 3 January 1953) is a Maldivian politician who served as the fifth President of the Maldives from 7 February 2012 to 17 November 2013, having previously served as Vice President from 2008 to 2012. He assumed the presidency following the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed. Waheed is also the first Maldivian to receive a doctorate (PhD).

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 3 January 1953 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Malé ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Maldives ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P106))
- **Political party:** Gaumee Itthihaad ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P102))
- **Education:** American University of Beirut; Stanford Graduate School of Education ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P69))
- **Spouse:** Ilham Hussain ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P26))
- **Positions held:** President of the Maldives (7 February 2012 – 17 November 2013); Vice President of the Maldives (11 November 2008 – 7 February 2012) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515#P39))

## About

During 2013, he ran for president but received about five percent of the vote in the first round. Following court‑ordered reruns and delays, he remained in office until the inauguration of Abdulla Yameen on 17 November 2013. In May 2025, President Mohamed Muizzu appointed Waheed as Special Envoy of the President until his resignation in February 2026 due to his links with Jeffrey Epstein.

He was the first Maldivian to receive a doctorate (PhD).

## Questions

**When was Mohamed Waheed Hassan born?**  
Mohamed Waheed Hassan was born on 3 January 1953 in Malé.

**What positions has Mohamed Waheed Hassan held?**  
Positions held by Mohamed Waheed Hassan include: President of the Maldives (2012–2013); Vice President of the Maldives (2008–2012).

**Where did Mohamed Waheed Hassan study?**  
Mohamed Waheed Hassan was educated at American University of Beirut, Stanford Graduate School of Education.

## Related

- [Maumoon Abdul Gayoom](https://diginpl.com/people/maumoon-abdul-gayoom)
- [Ibrahim Nasir](https://diginpl.com/people/ibrahim-nasir)
- [Mohamed Amin Didi](https://diginpl.com/people/mohamed-amin-didi)
- [Ibrahim Muhammad Didi](https://diginpl.com/people/ibrahim-muhammad-didi)
- [Ibrahim Mohamed Solih](https://diginpl.com/people/ibrahim-mohamed-solih)
- [Abdulla Yameen](https://diginpl.com/people/abdulla-yameen)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Mohamed Waheed Hassan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Waheed_Hassan) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q57515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57515) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Mohamed Waheed Hassan portrait 2025.jpg by The President's Office, Maldives (CC BY 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mohamed_Waheed_Hassan_portrait_2025.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Mohamed Waheed Hassan, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Mohamed Waheed Hassan portrait 2025.jpg — The President's Office, Maldives, CC BY 4.0.

## Cite this page

"Mohamed Waheed Hassan". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/mohamed-waheed-hassan. Retrieved 6 November 2026.