Malala Yousafzai is no stranger to the spotlight. Since she first made international headlines at age 15, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist has been a symbol of resistance, education, and resilience. But in a recent Instagram post, Malala offered a more personal portrait of herself - one that goes beyond headlines.
In a heartfelt caption accompanying a childhood photo, Malala wrote on Monday, “If you did a school project on me, you probably know me as the 15-year-old who was shot by the Taliban for standing up for girls’ right to education. That was 13 years ago. A lot has changed since then, and some things have stayed the same, so here’s a reintroduction to who I am today.”
She began by describing her roots in Pakistan, “which is known for its beautiful mountains and rivers,” before tracing her journey to Oxford University. “I made so many friends, had (a bit too much) fun and learned about myself. It’s also where I struggled with my mental health, experiencing panic attacks for the first time. Going to therapy really helped me,” said Malala of her time in college.
Shortly after graduation, she married Asser Malik, who she said “makes me smile every day.”
Offering a glimpse into her personality and quirk, Malala shared,“In addition to reading and learning new languages, I love working out and playing competitive sports.”
“Asser calls me a gym bro,” she quipped. “I love travelling but I’m not great at trip prep. I throw my clothes in a suitcase ten minutes before the airport and always forget something important. I love trying new cuisine and restaurants. However, I can’t cook and my fridge is filled with takeout boxes.”
Malala's humanitarian work comprises a big part of her life. “I spend most of my time working on girls’ education issues around the world, in countries like Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Pakistan.”
The post concluded with a message of hope and continuity: “My life is nothing like I imagined it would be. The girl in this photo wanted to be a car mechanic. But my hope to see every girl in school, able to pursue her dreams and choose her own future, will never change. To the new faces and to those who’ve been here from the start: thank you for being here.”
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