Formative Years

Elim Garak was born on Cardassia Prime to parents Enabran Tain and Mila. He was raised by his mother Mila and did not know the true identity of his father until much later on. A quick learner and an excellent student, Garak attended the prestigious military training school of Bamarren as a child. Most of the skills and traits associated with Garak can be said to have been picked up at Bamarren. He rose through the ranks and gained the respect of his peers and teachers, though he was ultimately betrayed by his one true love, Palandine. These events were formative to his character and general disposition.

Garak was often punished as a child by being locked in a cupboard. It is believed this is the root of his later claustrophobia.

After Bamarren, Garak began his career at the Obsidian Order, one of the premiere intelligence agencies of the Alpha Quadrant. Always a quick learner, he proved exceptional at his job and rapidly increased in rank and influence, becoming the right hand man of Enabran Tain, head of the Obsidian Order.

Exile

At the peak of his power and career, Garak was perceived to have succumbed to sentimentality and tried to meet with Palandine. He was caught and, because of his family's important role in Cardassian society, was exiled from Cardassia Prime. He chose to locate to Deep Space 9, then still Cardassian and called Terok Nor. During the withdrawal of Bajor by the Cardassians, Garak was deceived and left to the mercy of the Bajorans. He soon after tried in vain to win the favour of his government by spying on the Bajor-Federation negotiations. Garak has since made use of his extensive knowledge and abilities in aiding the Federation on numerous occasions.

On Deep Space 9, Garak went into business as a tailor. Several other characters suspected that his tailor's shop was a mere front and he was still working for the Obsidian Order. Garak denied having ever been involved with espionage, claiming he was just "plain, simple Garak" and that his difficulties with the Cardassian government were a result of tax evasion.

Garak was frequently at odds with Gul Dukat, the station's former commander. This was due to the fact that, as a member of the Obsidian Order, Garak was responsible for the execution of Dukat's father.

After the Federation started administering the station, Garak struck up a friendship with Dr. Julian Bashir. While his exact motives for choosing Bashir are unknown, it is known that Garak wanted a Federation officer with whom he could regularly exchange "back channel" information with the Federation while keeping in communication with his contacts in the Cardassian Union. Captain Sisko encouraged Bashir to pursue the relationship, although warning Bashir that Garak was probably not to be trusted. Bashir was most likely chosen because of his naïveté, intelligence, and trusting nature. However, despite the nature of their clandestine relationship, Garak and Bashir grew to be good friends despite their cultural and personality differences.

The Dominion War

Garak provided essential intelligence on Cardassia to the Federation during the Dominion War. His unique abilities can be said to have influenced the outcome of the war in the episode "In the Pale Moonlight" by getting the Romulans to abandon their neutrality and fight alongside the Federation by making his assassination of a pro-Dominion senator look like the work of the Cardassians. He also assisted the Federation victory at the Chintoka system in the episode "Tears of the Prophets".

In 2374 he pretended to be a member (Kamar) of the Cardassian Intelligence Bureau, the organization that replaced the Obsidian Order after the Omarion Nebula Incident. (DS9: Rocks and Shoals)

The extensive help given to the Federation against his own people led to his mental breakdown, though he believed he was ultimately helping Cardassia by assisting the Federation in defeating the Dominion. He later directly participated in fomenting an anti-Dominion revolution on Cardassia alongside Kira and Damar.

Despite the efforts of Gul Dukat, Garak pursued a relationship with Dukat's daughter Tora Ziyal when she sought refuge on DS9 after her rescue from the Breen. When they were separated during the Dominion occupation of DS9, they realized they loved each other. Ziyal's eventual rejection of her father's wishes led to her death at the hands of Dukat's aide Corat Damar when the Federation was on the verge of re-occupying the station.

Post-War Involvement

The Federation-led alliance won the war and Garak returned to his people. What was supposed to be his moment of triumph turned into a pyrrhic victory given the death of 1 billion Cardassians and the destruction of much of Cardassia Prime's infrastructure.

Garak has since assisted in the rebuilding and recovery of Cardassia, while also supporting democratic reforms for its government. He believes that the Dominion War and destruction of Cardassia was partially caused by its military-led government. The post-war Garak is a wholly different person in this respect, given his extensive ties to the military.