Islam Karimov

1st President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (1938–2016)

  • Fame69.2
  • Momentum7.7
  • Wikipedia29.9K
Source-basedStable
Lived 1938–2016, aged 78
RUUZPoliticiansPolitician
  • Wikipedia
    90 languages
    Cross-language footprint
  • Era
    1938–2016
    Aged 78
  • Awards
    25
    recognised works
Summary
Updated 2026-09-07

He ruled Uzbekistan from the Soviet collapse until his death in 2016, never losing an election and never allowing one that mattered. The system was repression: opponents assassinated, dissent outlawed, the vote a ritual.

Biography

About

Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov was born 30 January 1938 and rose through the Communist Party, becoming First Secretary of Uzbekistan's branch in 1989. He declared independence on 31 August 1991 and won the presidency that December with 86% — foreign observers called the count falsified, the campaign pure state propaganda. A referendum stretched his term to 2000; he won again that year, then 2007, then 2015, each time taking over 90%. The blueprint never changed: political opponents were assassinated, human rights crushed, dissent forbidden. He died from a stroke on 2 September 2016, twenty-five…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Islam Karimov

Islam Karimov
said
Do not interfere in our affairs under the pretext of furthering freedom and democracy. Do not ... tell us what to do, whom to befriend and how to orient ourselves.
As quoted in 2006, "Uzbek President Islam Karimov dies at 78" in France 24 (2 September 2016)
Islam Karimov
said
Such people Islamists] must be shot in the head. If necessary, if you lack the resolve, I’ll shoot them myself.
As quoted in speech at parliament in 1996, "Uzbek President Islam Karimov dies at 78" in France 24 (2 September 2016)
Islam Karimov
said
The independence is a great event for us, which has entirely changed the meaning and essence of our life and opened up a new page in our history.
"Speech at Independence Day ceremony" (31 December 2015)
Islam Karimov
said
We never brag. The growth of our GDP is 8 percent. For that there were preparations, every day preparations since we became independent, we've been making plans.
As quoted in an inauguration speech, "A Bad Sign From Karimov's Inauguration Speech" in Radio Free Europe (16 April 2015)
Islam Karimov
said
On the threshold of a new century, international security and stability are still among the fundamental problems facing the contemporary world.
"Speech at the United Nations Millennium Summit" (8 September 2000)
Where to find them

Platforms

By the numbers

Score breakdown

The six component signals behind the Fame score, and their ranks across the leaderboards.

Fame
Stable
69.2
Composite of search demand, mentions, audience & graph footprint.
Score components
Momentum7.7
Historical25.1
Now attention20.7
Source confidence65.0
Completeness65.0
Global rank
Country rank
Category rank
Receipts

Sources

  • Wikipedia
    wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org
    High confidence
  • Wikidata
    wikidata · wikidata.org
    High confidence
  • Pantheon 2.0
    database · pantheon.world
    High confidence