Abdullah Gül was born in Kayseri in 1950.

Graduated from Istanbul University , with B.A. degree in economics in 1971. Received Ph.D. degree from the same university in 1983. During his graduate studies attended programs in Exter and London .

Participated in the foundation of Sakarya University Industrial Engineering Department. Taught economics courses between 1980-1983. From 1983 to 1991 worked at Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, as economist. Became Associate Professor on International Economics in 1991.

In 1991, elected as a Member of the Parliament from the Welfare Party. Became member of the Planning and Budgetary Commission in the Parliament. In 1993, appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Welfare Party in charge of Foreign Affairs. Reelected in 1995 as a member of Parliament. Became member of the Foreign Affairs Commission. From 1996 to 1997, served as a Minister of State and Government Spokesman. In 1999, elected from the Virtue Party, for the third term, as a Member of Parliament.

From 1992 to 2001 served as the Member of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council Europe. Served as the member of Committee on Culture and Education and Political Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. In 2001 awarded with Pro-merito Medal of the Council of Europe and became Honoury Associate of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. In August 2001, became the Founding Board Member of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

Reelected in November 2002 as a member of Parliament. In November 2002, charged as the Prime Minister to found 58th Cabinet. In March 2003, appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Reelected in July 2007 as a member of Parliament. Abdullah Gül was elected as the eleventh president by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and assumed his duties on August 28th, 2007.

Married with three children.

Presidency of the Republic of Turkey