Khaled Hosseini, born on March 4, 1965, in Kabul, Afghanistan, is an Afghan-American novelist, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and former physician. His literary debut, The Kite Runner (2003), was both a critical and commercial success, launching a career that would see his novels deeply rooted in Afghanistan's culture and history. Hosseini's storytelling has brought global attention to the Afghan people and their struggles, featuring Afghan protagonists and setting a significant portion of his narratives in his homeland.

His journey from Kabul to global fame is a story of talent, displacement, and empathy. Born to a diplomat father, Hosseini's early years were spent in Iran and France, before his family sought asylum in the United States when he was 15. This move marked the beginning of a new life in which Hosseini would later become a naturalized citizen. Despite his success, he carries the weight of survivor's guilt for having been able to leave Afghanistan before it was torn apart by conflict.

Initially pursuing a career in medicine, Hosseini likened his time as a physician in California to "an arranged marriage." His passion for writing never waned, however, and the success of The Kite Runner allowed him to retire from medicine to write full-time. His subsequent novels, A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) and And the Mountains Echoed (2013), have also achieved critical and commercial success.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Hosseini has been a fervent advocate for refugees, working closely with the UNHCR and establishing the Khaled Hosseini Foundation to support Afghan refugees. His efforts reflect a commitment to humanitarian causes and a deep connection to his Afghan roots.