Mehriban Alieva Azerbaijani statesman, political and public figure Date of Birth: 26.08.1964 Country: Azerbaijan

1. Family Background and Education
2. Medical Career and Philanthropy
3. Sport and Cultural Promotion
4. Political Career
5. Personal Life

Family Background and Education

Mehriban Aliyeva was born as Mehriban Pashayeva on August 26, 1964, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Her father, Arif Pashayev, is the Rector of the Azerbaijan National Aviation Academy. Her mother, Aida Imanguliyeva, was a renowned orientalist scholar and the daughter of prominent Azerbaijani journalist Nasir Imanguliyev.

Mehriban completed her secondary education in 1982 with a gold medal. She went on to study at the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute and later transferred to the First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, from where she graduated with honors in 1988.

Medical Career and Philanthropy

After graduating, Aliyeva worked as an ophthalmologist at the Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases from 1988 to 1992. In 1995, she established and led the charity "Friends of Azerbaijani Culture." The following year, she founded the cultural-historical magazine "Azerbaijan Heritage" and became its editor.

Sport and Cultural Promotion

In 2002, Mehriban Aliyeva was elected as the President of the Gymnastics Federation of Azerbaijan. She played a key role in bringing the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships to Azerbaijan in 2005.

In 2004, she became the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which focuses on preserving the legacy of her father-in-law, former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. Aliyeva was also appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for her contributions to the preservation of folklore and music traditions.

Political Career

In 2005, Aliyeva was elected as a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She was re-elected in 2010. She has been an influential figure in the New Azerbaijan Party and has received numerous awards and honors for her social and humanitarian work.

Personal Life

Mehriban Aliyeva married Ilham Aliyev, the current President of Azerbaijan, on December 22, 1983. They have two daughters, Leyla and Arzu, and a son, Heydar. Leyla Aliyeva is married to businessman and musician Emin Agalarov. Arzu Aliyeva is married to Sameed Kurbonov.