Due to his father’s political activism, Prabowo experienced a childhood of limitations while living outside Indonesia from third grade onwards. However, his strong love for Indonesia, instilled by his parents and grandfather, influenced his decision to enroll in the National Military Academy instead of pursuing a top American university, despite his academic achievements in high school.
While in Jakarta, Prabowo split his time between his father’s residence on Jalan Kertanegara, Kebayoran Baru, and his grandfather’s house on Jalan Matraman. His grandfather, R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo, lived next to K.H. Hasyim Asyari’s residence, who was the grandfather of Indonesia’s fourth president, Gus Dur.
Prabowo also spent some time in Switzerland due to political conflicts between Prof. Sumitro and President Sukarno concerning the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). Prof. Sumitro opposed the PKI’s involvement in Sukarno’s government, resulting in surveillance on Prof. Sumitro’s residence abroad by intelligence agencies.
His educational journey took him to the American School in London, where Prabowo excelled as the captain of the football, debate, and chess teams. He also served as the editor-in-chief of the school magazine during this time. Notably, Prabowo was the sole Indonesian student in his school.