Muhammad Ali was born in Bogra in an aristocratic Nawab family. Officialy he was carring the family name Bogra. He studied at the Calcutta University and in 1937 he was elected to the Bengal legislative assembly.

In 1943, Muhammad Ali became parliamentary secretary to Khawaja Nazimuddin, the then Chief Minister of Bengal in undivided India. Later in 1946, he became Finance and Health Minister of the province.

After the formation of Pakistan, he was appointed Ambassador to Burma in 1948 High Commissioner to Canada in 1949 and finally Ambassador to USA in 1952.

Khawaja Nazimuddin, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan was dismissed by the Governor General, Malik Ghulam Muhammad in April 1953, and Muhammad Ali Bogra was appointed Prime Minister on April 17, 1953 by the Governor General.

Muhammad Ali Bogra was very renowned diplomat but almost unknown as a politician. His appointment as Prime Minister came as a surprise to political observers and public alike, and it was widely suspected that his transfer from Washington to Karachi, elevation to the office was a prelude to closer relations between the US and Pakistan.

Only three days after the new premier's nomination, the US President Eisenhower asked Congress for authority to ship hundreds and thousands of tons of wheat to Pakistan. The US was at that time conducting a vigorous anti-Communist policy and looking for friends in Asia. Pakistan entered into defense pacts with it.

After the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in 1954 by the governor-general, Muhammad Ali was again invited to form a new cabinet call "ministry of all talents."

Muhammad Ali Bogra was replaced by Chaudhary Muhammad Ali in August 1955 after the second constituent Assembly was elected. Muhammad Ali again resumed his assignment as ambassador to the USA. He died in the year 1969 and has been buried in the family gravie of Bogra Nawab Palace.