Presidents · Head-to-head
Islam Karimov vs Nursultan Nazarbayev
Yes — based on their recorded years, Islam Karimov (1938–2016) and Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
Islam Karimov
Islam Karimov served as the first president of independent Uzbekistan from 1991 until his death in 2016, leading a government that international human rights organizations widely characterized as highly authoritarian.
Key achievements
- Became First Secretary of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan in 1989.
- Became the first president of independent Uzbekistan upon its 1991 independence.
- Governed Uzbekistan continuously until his death in 2016.
- Presided over Uzbekistan's transition from Soviet republic to independent state.
Fast fact
Karimov led Uzbekistan continuously for 25 years after independence, and organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International documented extensive human rights concerns throughout his presidency.
Full profile of Islam Karimov →Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Nazarbayev served as the first president of Kazakhstan from its 1991 independence until 2019, and continued to hold significant influence over the country's governance for years afterward.
Key achievements
- Became the first president of Kazakhstan upon its independence in 1991.
- Governed Kazakhstan for nearly three decades until his resignation in 2019.
- Held the special title of 'Elbasy' and chaired the Security Council after leaving the presidency.
- Was stripped of his remaining formal governmental roles in 2022 amid widespread protests.
Fast fact
After resigning the presidency in 2019, Nazarbayev retained the special title of 'Elbasy' and chaired Kazakhstan's Security Council until 2022, when he was stripped of his remaining formal powers amid nationwide unrest.
Full profile of Nursultan Nazarbayev →Who lived first, Islam Karimov or Nursultan Nazarbayev?
Islam Karimov (1938–2016) lived first, before Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940), based on their recorded years.
Were Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev contemporaries?
Yes — based on their recorded years, Islam Karimov (1938–2016) and Nursultan Nazarbayev (born 1940) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
What do Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev have in common?
Both Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev are grouped among our Presidents figures and lived during the Modern Era.