Literature · Politics · Film · 1928–2008

Chingiz Aĭtmatov — Age, Birthday & Biography

Born: 12 December 1928 · Died: 10 June 2008 · Age: 79

Renowned Kyrgyz author who wrote in both Kyrgyz and Russian

Did you know?He served as the Soviet ambassador to Luxembourg and later represented independent Kyrgyzstan in various European nations.

Quick facts

  • Date of birth12 December 1928
  • Date of death10 June 2008
  • Age at death79
  • Cause of deathPneumonia, kidney failure
  • NationalityKyrgyz
  • BirthplaceSheker, Kyrgyzstan
  • Occupationpolitician, diplomat, journalist

Editor's Take:

Chinghiz Aitmatov brought the steppes and mountains of Kyrgyzstan into world literature. He wrote in Kyrgyz and Russian. His stories set ancient legends against Soviet modernity, as in the story of a man forced to forget his own mother. His work was hugely popular across the USSR and translated widely. He remains a national hero in Kyrgyzstan. A memorial complex near Bishkek marks his grave. Readers across Central Asia still treasure his books.

Key Milestones

  1. 1958: Publishes Jamilia
  2. 1963: Wins the Lenin Prize
  3. 1980: Publishes The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years
  4. 1990: Becomes an ambassador

Chinghiz Torekulovich Aitmatov (12 December 1928 – 10 June 2008) was a Kyrgyz author who wrote mainly in Russian, but also in Kyrgyz. He is one of the best-known figures in Kyrgyz literature.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile

Chinghiz Aitmatov: Kyrgyzstan's Great Novelist

Kyrgyz writer, born 1928

Chingiz Aĭtmatov was born in Sheker on 12 December 1928.

He wrote the novella Jamilia.

He wrote The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years.

He later served as a diplomat for Kyrgyzstan.

Career highlights

  1. 1958Jamilia: published
  2. 1963Lenin Prize: awarded
  3. 1970The White Ship: published
  4. 1980Hundred Years: novel
  5. 1990Ambassador: Luxembourg

Did you know?Louis Aragon called Jamilia the world's most beautiful love story.

Would be
97
Age at death
79
Years since death
18

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When is Chingiz Aĭtmatov's birthday?
Chingiz Aĭtmatov's birthday is December 12. He was born on December 12, 1928 in Sheker, Kyrgyzstan.
How old was Chingiz Aĭtmatov when he died?
Chingiz Aĭtmatov died on June 10, 2008, aged 79.
Who shares a birthday with Chingiz Aĭtmatov?
Famous people who share Chingiz Aĭtmatov's December 12 birthday include Gustave Flaubert, Frank Sinatra, Edvard Munch, Jennifer Connelly and Alfred Werner.

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Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.

Last reviewed: October 2026