Miriam Bin Laden's Inspiring Swim: Family, Dreams, & Records!

18 May, 2025

Can a name synonymous with global terror be redefined by the strokes of a determined swimmer? Mariam bin Laden is proving that legacies, however daunting, can be challenged and reshaped, one powerful stroke at a time.

Mariam bin Laden, daughter of the infamous Osama bin Laden, is undertaking a challenge that extends far beyond the physical. She is preparing to swim across the English Channel, a feat of endurance that embodies her aspirations: to offer her family a second chance, to inspire and empower Arab women to pursue their dreams, and to raise awareness about pressing global issues. This swim represents not just an athletic challenge but a deeply symbolic journey of personal and collective transformation.

Full Name	Mariam Saleh bin Laden (also referred to as Miriam bin Laden)
Date of Birth	1990 (Miriam) approximate; Sumaiya born 1992
Nationality	Saudi Arabian
Profession	Dentist, Endurance Swimmer
Notable Achievements	First Arab woman to swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt across the Red Sea. Swam the English Channel individually in 11 hours and 41 minutes (2016). Completed a 25km swim in 10 hours and 41 minutes with Andy Donaldson on February 13th, 2025, advocating for cleaner oceans. Swam 101 miles of the source of the River Thames (UK).
Family Background	Daughter of Osama bin Laden. Her mother, Siham, is known for her controversial history. Sister to Sumaiya bin Laden (born 1992) and reportedly other siblings.
Motivations & Goals	To give a second chance to her family's legacy. To inspire and empower Arab women. To promote awareness about environmental issues, particularly ocean conservation.
Advocacy	Clean oceans, sustainable future, women's empowerment.
Related Links	Bin Laden Family - Wikipedia

Mariam's journey is marked by significant milestones. She was the first Arab woman to swim across the Red Sea, from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. This groundbreaking achievement, completed in four hours, was not merely a personal triumph but a powerful statement of possibility for women in the Arab world. Her efforts have consistently broken records while championing the empowerment of women, solidifying her status as a role model and an athlete pushing boundaries.

On February 13th, 2025, Mariam, alongside Andy Donaldson, completed a 25km swim in an impressive 10 hours and 41 minutes. This swim underscored her commitment to environmental stewardship, advocating for cleaner oceans and a sustainable future. Such initiatives demonstrate her dedication to using her platform for the greater good, transforming personal ambition into impactful action.

Beyond her athletic prowess, Dr. Mariam Saleh bin Laden is a qualified dentist, holding a title from the German Board of Dentistry. Her commitment to humanitarian work is evident in her support for Syrian refugees. As Mariam Saleh bin Laden highlighted, "The opening of a special dental medical center for Syrian refugees in the Azraq camp is an important step." This reflects her understanding of the interconnectedness of global issues and her willingness to contribute practically to alleviating human suffering.

Her swim across the Red Sea was also part of a broader campaign to raise awareness of the need to preserve coral reefs amid climate change, accompanying UN Patron of the Oceans Lewis Pugh. This collaboration further highlights her commitment to using her athletic achievements to bring attention to critical environmental issues.

In 2016, she individually crossed the English Channel in 11 hours and 41 minutes, a feat that established a significant record in Saudi Arabia. This accomplishment underscores her tenacity and resilience, setting a precedent for future generations of Saudi athletes.

While Mariam carves her own path, the weight of her family's history inevitably looms. Her mother, Siham, continues to be associated with a controversial and tragic past. Author and Islamic scholar Nelly Lahoud noted that, "The people who really worked on Osamas public statements were mostly his daughters, Miriam and Sumaiya," offering a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the bin Laden family.

Historical context paints a more complete picture of the challenges Mariam faces. Osama bin Laden is believed to have had 19 children with various wives. Documents released after his death reveal details about his family life, including the difficulties faced by his children in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. For instance, documents showed that his son, Khalid bin Laden, was unable to marry after the 9/11 incident. Similarly, there are accounts of Osama bin Ladens eldest daughter, Khadija, living in Waziristan and later passing away.

Another daughter, Iman bin Laden, spent 112 days living in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran after escaping house arrest in Iran, highlighting the complexities and restrictions faced by members of the family.

The weight of this legacy is undeniable, but Mariam chooses to focus on the future. Her swim across the English Channel is more than just an athletic endeavor; it is a bold attempt to redefine her narrative and inspire others to overcome their own challenges. It is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of individual action.

In addition to her remarkable swims, Mariam Saleh binladen has also made history as the first woman to officially swim 101 miles of the source of the River Thames in the United Kingdom. This achievement further showcases her dedication to pushing boundaries and setting new standards in endurance swimming.

Her journey is a testament to the power of individual determination in the face of overwhelming circumstances. By breaking records, advocating for environmental causes, and empowering women, Mariam bin Laden is carving a new narrative, one that challenges perceptions and inspires hope for a better future.

The story of Mariam bin Laden is not just about athletic achievements; it is about resilience, redemption, and the enduring human spirit. It is a story that continues to unfold, with each stroke bringing her closer to a future defined by her own actions and aspirations.

Oussama ben Laden (in Arabic: (usma bin muammad bin awa bin ldin)) [note 1], born on March 10, 1957 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and died on May 2, 2011 in Abbottabad killed by American special forces, was a Saudi jihadist then stateless [note 2]. On May 2, 2011, Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden ; Dr. Mariam Saleh bin Laden became the 1st Arab, 1st Saudi, and 1st woman to swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. It was a dream to swim from Saudi to Egypt.

Miriam bin Laden (born 1990) and Sumaiya bin Laden (born 1992) are two of Osama bin Ladens daughters. The US government, US Navy Seals, and intelligence analysts have given varying accounts of the night of May 1, 2011, when US forces killed Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden's sprawling compound, located in an affluent neighborhood in the scenic town of Abbottabad, did not attract the attention of Pakistani security officials, in part, because it had been built to blend in with the surrounding area.

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