The Assad family came into power in 1970 when Bashar Al-Assad’s father, Hafez, became president and ruled until his death in 2000, leaving behind a country tormented by a cruel and ruthless regime.
But despite being born to the ringleader of the regime, Bashar confessed his parents, Hafez and his mother Anisa Makhlouf, were keen to ensure their five children received an upbringing that echoed their peers.
A new BBC series, A Dangerous Dynasty: House of Assad, revealed Hafez employed a Japanese architect to design the family home, which is situated high in the hills of Damascus.
The residence boasts an entrance akin to a mosque or government building with brutalist architecture giving the appearance of permanence and power.
The interior – shown only for a short moment – is embellished with lavish chandeliers and what appears to be marble floors, walls and fittings.
In the courtyard a water fountain that looks the size of a swimming pool is a stark reminder of the Assad Dynasty’s wealth.
Speaking on the documentary, Mr Assad, said: “We only had stability after 1970 when my father became president.
“There was complete separation between politics and family relations in our house. My parents were every keen to make us live a normal life as much as we can.”
Meanwhile, the family spent their summers in a palace along the banks of the Mediterranean Sea.
It was purpose-built with high security at the heart of the design and situated next to the sea so the Assad family could flee in a boat if they came under siege.
Footage of the enormous complex shows a similar block-style only this time with more outdoor space with multiple gardens.
The streets around the buildings are decked with lamps, while the buildings themselves feature enormous glass windows and balconys.
Bashar was the second son and hadn’t expected to become president.
His father decided that he would hand the job to one of his sons.
But the intended heir, his older brother Bassel, who worked as an army officer and was an equestrian champion, died in a car crash in 1994.
At the time, Bashar had graduated as a doctor and was training to become an ophthalmologist in London.
As a young student he excelled in science and chose to study medicine with an interest in working in the humanitarian sector.
In deciding his career path he confided in his father: “I would like to be a doctor – what do you think?”
Hafez told him “it doesn’t matter what you do – the most important thing is that you succeed. So just make sure that you succeed.”
Mr Assad lives in the presidential palace in Damascus with his wife, Asma al-Assad, and their three children, Hafez, 16, Zein 14, and Karim, 13.