Hedayat Amin-Arsala

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Mr. Amin-Arsala made history in 1969 as the first Afghan to join the World Bank through the Young Professionals Program (YPP), where he worked for nearly two decades.

In the 1990s, he returned to his country and served in various high-profile roles over the years including vice president, foreign minister, finance minister, minister of commerce and industries, and senior minister. His decades of public service and international diplomacy had a lasting impact on both Afghanistan and the global community.

Mr. Amin-Arsala loved to learn, spoke 9 languages (5 fluently), traveled extensively during his lifetime (70+ countries), and mentored and supported hundreds of young Afghans around the world who remember him fondly and with gratitude.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Nafisa Sameey, Latifa Kakar, Inayat, and Wahida. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betsy; his son Salah (wife Dawn, and grandchildren Temor and Roiya and their families); his daughters Leila (grandchildren Aryan and Sofia) and Ayesha (husband Bryan Bates, and granddaughter Amani); his sisters Nazifa Sherzai, Bilqees, and Naheed Khaliqi; and a large, loving extended family (including 25 nieces and nephews) who looked to him for leadership and guidance. He will be deeply missed.