About Saddam Kamel
Lived 1960 – 1996 (aged 35). Saddam Kamel was an Iraqi politician, military personnel and actor.
Saddam Kamel Hassan al-Majid (; 1 June 1960 – 23 February 1996) was the first cousin once removed and son-in-law of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. He was also a part-time actor.
Biography He was married to Rana Hussein and was the brother of Hussein Kamel al-Majid (who was also married to a daughter of Saddam, Raghad Hussein). He was for a time head of the Republican Guard.
He was removed from the position in 1986 in favour of Saddam Hussein's son, Qusay Hussein, who had then come into majority. Due to his close resemblance to the Iraqi leader, he played the part of Saddam Hussein in the film The Long Days, a propagandistic movie account of Saddam Hussein's early life and rise to power. In 1995, he defected from Iraq with his brother Hussein Kamel al-Majid and their wives. His brother gave information to UNSCOM, the CIA and MI6 about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
In 1996, they returned to Iraq believing Saddam's assurances that they had been pardoned for their actions; however, the brothers were killed in a prolonged gun battle with either other members of their clan or soldiers loyal to Saddam shortly after they returned. According to the previous theory, described by Iraqi authorities as the official one, al-Majid and numerous other members of the clan had exercised personal vengeance upon the brothers, possibly as a way by Saddam to circumvent his promise of pardon by masking the executions as a family quarrel.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Saddam Kamel's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Saddam Kamel's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Saddam Kamel?
Iraqi defector (1960–1996)
When was Saddam Kamel born?
Saddam Kamel was born on 1 July 1960 in Iraq.
When did Saddam Kamel die?
Saddam Kamel died on 23 February 1996 in Iraq.
What was Saddam Kamel's occupation?
Saddam Kamel was a politician, military personnel and actor.
What nationality was Saddam Kamel?
Saddam Kamel was Iraqi.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Saddam Kamel. https://biography.guide/saddam-kamel/
MLA: "Saddam Kamel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/saddam-kamel/.
Chicago: "Saddam Kamel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/saddam-kamel/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:14 UTC