Son Confirms 81-Year-Old Suu Kyi Is Alive and Well After Six Years

Kim Aris spoke to his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, for the first time since the 2021 coup. The 20-minute phone call occurred on Thursday and marked their first direct conversation in nearly six years.

The military government in Myanmar consolidated power in 2021 after toppling the elected cabinet led by Suu Kyi. She was initially sentenced that year, with consecutive trials in 2022 adding corruption and electoral fraud charges to bring her total term to 33 years. The sentence was later reduced, leaving her with 18 years remaining. The U.S. and Western allies have labeled these charges as fabricated, while the military argues they are grounded in law.

Khaing Khaing Soe, a spokesperson for the military-backed president, announced on social media that the call was arranged through the Myanmar Embassy in London. He posted separate photos of the two individuals. Aris, a 49-year-old carpenter based in London, said his mother’s first words were a question about his health. He replied by passing along the family’s love and asking about her condition. "My mother is actually alive and well," Aris said. "Hearing her voice has reassured me."

Aris learned during the conversation that his 81-year-old mother is held at a residence near the capital, Naypyidaw. He believes police and military personnel surround the building, which features a fenced garden. "From what I can ascertain, she's basically being held in solitary confinement even if she's not in a prison cell," he said. She can read books but lacks access to radio, television, or newspapers. She suffers from tendonitis in her hand, which limits her use of the limb at times. She receives a health checkup every six months.

Aris plans to send a care package containing a mix of healthy food and treats. He is considering Ben's Cookies, a brand from Oxford, England, where Suu Kyi raised their sons before moving to Myanmar in 1988. The military likely monitored the call, keeping sensitive topics like the civil war off the table. Aris compared this to the regime’s practice during his mother’s 1989 to 2010 house arrest, when officials photographed parcels for propaganda purposes.

The civil war that began after the coup has killed approximately 100,000 people, according to the monitoring group ACLED. The U.N. reports that millions have been displaced. ACLED states that the military has increased attacks on civilians since Min Aung Hlaing became president in January. Hlaing remains under U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, including the 2016-2017 killings of Rohingya Muslims, which Washington declared a genocide. Suu Kyi’s international standing dipped in 2019 after she defended Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, though she retains support domestically.

Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the exiled National Unity Government, said the regime "dare not release" Suu Kyi because her strength would bolster the revolution. Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group called her status "potentially the most valuable card Min Aung Hlaing holds," warning she could serve as a bargaining chip. He said her release is "very unlikely" and would not end the war on its own. The U.S. State Department urged the military to hold "genuine dialogue with all opposition groups" and called for her "immediate and unconditional release" in August. Aris said the call may be a one-off and that his mother believes sharing her experience gives the people of Burma strength.