Ryamizard Ryacudu, former Indonesian Defense Minister and Army Chief of Staff, dies at 76

Ryamizard Ryacudu, a prominent Indonesian military figure who served as Minister of Defense and Army Chief of Staff, has died at the age of 76. He passed away on Sunday afternoon at the Gatot Subroto Army Central Hospital in Jakarta.

Ryacudu's career spanned several decades, culminating in his appointment as Defense Minister from 2014 to 2019 under President Joko Widodo. Earlier, he held the position of Army Chief of Staff during the presidency of Megawati Soekarnoputri. He was also the son-in-law of former Vice President Try Sutrisno and his father, Mayjen TNI Musanif Ryacudu, was known to be close to Indonesia's first president, Soekarno.

Born in Palembang, South Sumatra, on April 21, 1950, Ryacudu graduated from the military academy in 1973. He gained wider recognition in the 1990s as a commander of the Garuda XII contingent in Cambodia. His military career included various high-ranking positions, such as Commander of Infantry Brigade 17 Kostrad, Chief of Staff of Kodam V/Brawijaya, and Commander of Kostrad.

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We received information of condolences, that Mr. General TNI (Ret.) Ryamizard Ryacudu has passed away today, Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 14:03 WIB at RSPAD.