Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

محمد علی جناح

Born 25 Dec 1876 Karachi

Died 11 Sep 1948 Karachi, Pakistan

Citizenship Pakistan

7 min read

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Words

Apr 18, 2026

Published

TL;DR

Muhammad Ali Jinnah founded Pakistan on August 14, 1947, and became its first Governor-General until his death in 1948. He led the All-India Muslim League from 1913, advocating for a separate Muslim state. Jinnah died of lung cancer in Karachi on September 11, 1948, at age 71.

Identity & family.

KIN · 6

Names, aliases, and relatives of Muhammad Ali Jinnah — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name محمد علی جناح

Nicknames Quaid e Azam

Aliases Quaid E. Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Mohammed Ali Jinnah

PARENTS: Mitthibai Jinnahbhai Jinnahbhai Poonja
SPOUSES: Rattan Bhai Dinshaw Emibai
CHILDREN: Dina Wadia
SIBLINGS: Fatima Jinnah

At a glance.

STATS

Muhammad Ali Jinnah by the numbers — life, work, and family.

71 Years lived

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Muhammad Ali Jinnah?

BIOGRAPHY

Muhammad Ali Jinnah — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876, in Karachi, Sindh, British India, to Mitthibai Jinnahbhai and Jinnahbhai Poonja. His father was a prosperous merchant. Jinnah attended the Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay and later studied law at Lincoln’s Inn in London, becoming a barrister. He also studied at the University of Oxford.

Career

Jinnah’s political career began with the Indian National Congress, but he joined the All-India Muslim League in 1913 and became its leader. He championed the cause of a separate Muslim state, culminating in the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947. Jinnah then served as the Dominion of Pakistan’s first Governor-General until his death in 1948.

Personal life

Jinnah married Emibai in 1892 when he was 16; she died shortly after. In 1918, he married Rattan Bhai Dinshaw, a Parsi woman. They had one daughter, Dina Wadia, who later married Neville Wadia. Jinnah’s sister, Fatima Jinnah, was a close companion and political advisor.

Legacy

Jinnah is revered in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam Great Leader and Baba-i-Qaum Father of the Nation. His birthday is a national holiday. He is credited with creating a nation-state, altering the map of the world. Actor Christopher Lee played him in the 1998 film Jinnah.

Did you know?

FACTS · 7

Little-known facts about Muhammad Ali Jinnah — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

As Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah founded Pakistan and served as its first Governor-General.
Actor Christopher Lee portrayed Jinnah in the 1998 biographical film Jinnah.
Jinnah once expressed a desire to spend his last days in his Southcourt Bungalow in Mumbai, even after partition.
On the eve of his death, American historian Stanley Walport stated that few individuals alter the course of history, fewer modify the world map, and hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state, adding that Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.
Jinnah infamously called the Congress ministries’ boycott of the British government for involving India into World War 2 without consulting elected administrators as The Day of Deliverance.
He was father-in-law of industrialist Neville Wadia and maternal grandfather of Bombay Deing chairman Nusli Wadia.
Jinnah died midway to the hospital as the ambulance carrying him got stuck in the traffic of Karachi.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 29

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

When was Muhammad Ali Jinnah born?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25, 1876. He was born in Karachi, then part of British India, into a Gujarati-speaking family.
Where was Muhammad Ali Jinnah born?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in Karachi, Sindh, British India, which is now in Pakistan. He was born on December 25, 1876.
When did Muhammad Ali Jinnah die?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah died on September 11, 1948. He passed away in Karachi, Pakistan, at the age of 71.
How old was Muhammad Ali Jinnah when he died?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was 71 years old when he died on September 11, 1948. He was born on December 25, 1876.
Where did Muhammad Ali Jinnah die?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah died in Karachi, Federal Capital Territory, Pakistan. He passed away on September 11, 1948.
How did Muhammad Ali Jinnah die?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah died of lung cancer on September 11, 1948, in Karachi. He was 71 years old.
What is Muhammad Ali Jinnah's name in his native language?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s name in his native language Gujarati is written as محمد علی جناح. He was born into a Gujarati-speaking family.
What nationality was Muhammad Ali Jinnah?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Pakistani citizen. He is considered the Father of the Nation in Pakistan.
What language did Muhammad Ali Jinnah speak?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s native language was Gujarati. He was also fluent in English, Urdu, and Sindhi.
Who were Muhammad Ali Jinnah's parents?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s parents were Mitthibai Jinnahbhai and Jinnahbhai Poonja. His father was a merchant.
Who was Muhammad Ali Jinnah married to?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was married twice: first to Emibai in 1892, who died shortly after, and then to Rattan Bhai Dinshaw in 1918. They remained married until her death in 1929.
Did Muhammad Ali Jinnah have children?

Yes, Muhammad Ali Jinnah had one daughter, Dina Wadia, from his marriage to Rattan Bhai Dinshaw. She later married industrialist Neville Wadia.
Did Muhammad Ali Jinnah have any siblings?

Yes, Muhammad Ali Jinnah had a younger sister, Fatima Jinnah, who was a close companion and political advisor. He also had other siblings but they are less known.
Where did Muhammad Ali Jinnah go to school?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended the Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay. He later studied law at Lincoln’s Inn in London and also studied at the University of Oxford.
How tall was Muhammad Ali Jinnah?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was 5 feet 10 inches 1.78 meters tall. His height was notable for his public appearances.
What does the nickname 'Quaid-e-Azam' mean?

Quaid-e-Azam means Great Leader in Urdu. It is the title by which Muhammad Ali Jinnah is revered in Pakistan. He is also called Baba-i-Qaum, meaning Father of the Nation.
Why is Muhammad Ali Jinnah also known as Mohammad Ali Jinnah?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birth name was Mohammad Ali Jinnahbhai. He later dropped bhai and variations like Mohammed Ali Jinnah are used interchangeably. He is also referred to as Quaid E. Azam.
What was Muhammad Ali Jinnah known for?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah is known for leading the All-India Muslim League and founding Pakistan. He is also associated with the Congress Session in Bombay and his vision for a separate Muslim state, often called Way to Hope.
What was Muhammad Ali Jinnah's birth name?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was originally born as Mohammad Ali Jinnahbhai. He later simplified it to Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Who played Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the 1998 film Jinnah?

Actor Christopher Lee played Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the 1998 biographical film Jinnah. The film covers his life and role in the creation of Pakistan.
What was the Day of Deliverance called by Jinnah?

Jinnah called the Congress ministries’ boycott of the British government for involving India into World War 2 without consulting elected administrators as The Day of Deliverance. This was in 1939.
Where did Jinnah want to spend his last days?

Jinnah once expressed a desire to spend his last days in his Southcourt Bungalow in Mumbai, even after the partition of India. However, he died in Karachi.
Who was Jinnah's son-in-law?

Jinnah’s son-in-law was Neville Wadia, an industrialist who married his daughter Dina Wadia. He was the father of Nusli Wadia.
What was the cause of death for Muhammad Ali Jinnah?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah died of lung cancer on September 11, 1948. He was 71 years old and passed away in Karachi.
What happened to Jinnah's ambulance on the day he died?

Jinnah died midway to the hospital as the ambulance carrying him got stuck in traffic in Karachi. This tragic delay contributed to his death.
How many children did Muhammad Ali Jinnah have?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah had one child, a daughter named Dina Wadia. She was born from his marriage to Rattan Bhai Dinshaw.
What is Jinnah's relationship to Nusli Wadia?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the maternal grandfather of Nusli Wadia, who was the chairman of Bombay Dyeing. Nusli is the son of Neville Wadia and Dina Wadia.
When did Jinnah join the All-India Muslim League?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah joined the All-India Muslim League in 1913 and soon became its leader. He served as its leader until the creation of Pakistan.
What is Jinnah's height in meters?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s height is 1.78 meters, which is equivalent to 5 feet 10 inches.

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Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on April 18, 2026

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