Mehriban Aliyeva
Encyclopedia
Mehriban Arif qizi Aliyeva (born 26 August 1964, Baku
) is the head of Azerbaijan
's Heydar Aliyev Foundation
and the wife of its current president Ilham Aliyev
. The Sunday Times
, writing in 2005 about Mrs. Aliyeva's decision to run for the Azerbaijani parliament, described her as already wielding "considerable influence," and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation as "a powerful and wealthy institution set up to safeguard the late president’s legacy and support a number of educational and charitable projects."
cables as "the single most powerful family in Azerbaijan." Her grandfather was noted Azerbaijani writer Mir Jalal Pashayev
. Her uncle Hafiz Pashayev was Azerbaijan's first Ambassador to the United States. Mrs. Aliyeva's father Arif Pashayev is Rector of the National Aviation Academy in Baku, and her mother, Aida Imanguliyeva
(1939–92) was a prominent philologist and arabist
.
Mehriban Aliyeva finished secondary school in 1981 and married Ilham Aliyev
, the son of Heydar Aliyev, in 1983. She continued her studies, in which she excelled, at the Azerbaijan Medical University and later at the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, from which she graduated in 1988. From 1988–92, Mehriban Aliyeva worked at the State Research Institute of Eye Diseases of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow, which was led by Dr. Mikhail Krasnov. Two articles in The Times
in 2005 described her as a "qualified physician" and "former eye doctor."
The Aliyevs have two daughters, Leyla (born in 1986) and Arzu (born in 1989) and a son Heydar (born in 1997). Leyla is the editor of Baku magazine, published by Azerbaijani Russian
businessman Aras Agalarov
, and is married to his son Emin Agalarov
.
, the foundation gave lifetime awards to six representatives of Azerbaijani art and culture. The foundation also sponsored performances in Baku of music by Antonio Vivaldi
and George Gershwin
.
After the death of her father-in-law Heydar Aliyev in 2003, Mrs. Aliyeva established, in 2004, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
, which focuses on studying and holding events to promote Heydar Aliyev
's political ideology. In Azerbaijan, according to a recent news article, "The HAF builds more schools than Azerbaijan's Ministry of Education, more hospitals than the Ministry of Health, and conducts more cultural events than the Ministry of Culture." The Heydar Aliyev Foundation also sponsors projects outside Azerbaijan, including helping to finance renovations at the Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles
, and Strasbourg Cathedral
.
Also in 2004, Aliyeva became a designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, to honor her work promoting oral and musical traditions.
In Azerbaijan's 2005 parliamentary elections
, she was elected to the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. She had previously broken with tradition to help campaign for her husband in 2003, when he ran for President of Azerbaijan.
, honoring what French President Nicolas Sarkozy
called her "outstanding service and loyalty to France."
In 2010, UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova
awarded Aliyeva the UNESCO Mozart Medal
"for strengthening the intercultural dialogue".
leaked by WikiLeaks
in 2010 devoted substantial space to Mehriban Aliyeva in the context of discussing the Pashayevs, her family of origin, noting that Mrs. Aliyeva is the family's "most famous member."
Describing her leadership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
, the cable said:
The cable's remarks about Mrs. Aliyeva's clothing choices, and its claims she used botox and had cosmetic surgery, were widely reported.
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
) is the head of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
's Heydar Aliyev Foundation
Heydar Aliyev Foundation
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is a charitable foundation headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The foundation is named in honor of Azerbaijan's former leader, the late Heydar Aliyev, who was the father of Aliyeva's husband, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.- History :Heydar...
and the wife of its current president Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee...
. The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
, writing in 2005 about Mrs. Aliyeva's decision to run for the Azerbaijani parliament, described her as already wielding "considerable influence," and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation as "a powerful and wealthy institution set up to safeguard the late president’s legacy and support a number of educational and charitable projects."
Early life and marriage
Mehriban Aliyeva (née Pashayeva) was born into a family described in WikileaksWikileaks
WikiLeaks is an international self-described not-for-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organisation, claimed a database of more...
cables as "the single most powerful family in Azerbaijan." Her grandfather was noted Azerbaijani writer Mir Jalal Pashayev
Mir Jalal Pashayev
Mir Jalal Pashayev , , known by his literary pen-name Mir Jalal, was an Azerbaijani writer and literary critic...
. Her uncle Hafiz Pashayev was Azerbaijan's first Ambassador to the United States. Mrs. Aliyeva's father Arif Pashayev is Rector of the National Aviation Academy in Baku, and her mother, Aida Imanguliyeva
Aida Imanguliyeva
Aida Nasir gizi Imanguliyeva was born on October 10, 1939 in Baku in a highly intelligent family. Her father- well-known journalist, pedagogue, Honoured Worker of Science-Nasir Imanguliyev was one of the founders of Azerbaijani press, editor of “Baki” and “Baku” newspapers for a long time.-Life:In...
(1939–92) was a prominent philologist and arabist
Arabist
This is an article about the western scholars known as Arabists, not the political movement Pan-Arabism.An Arabist is someone normally from outside the Arab World who specialises in the study of the Arabic language and Arab culture, and often Arabic literature.-Origins:Arabists began in medieval...
.
Mehriban Aliyeva finished secondary school in 1981 and married Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev is the President of Azerbaijan since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee...
, the son of Heydar Aliyev, in 1983. She continued her studies, in which she excelled, at the Azerbaijan Medical University and later at the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, from which she graduated in 1988. From 1988–92, Mehriban Aliyeva worked at the State Research Institute of Eye Diseases of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow, which was led by Dr. Mikhail Krasnov. Two articles in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
in 2005 described her as a "qualified physician" and "former eye doctor."
The Aliyevs have two daughters, Leyla (born in 1986) and Arzu (born in 1989) and a son Heydar (born in 1997). Leyla is the editor of Baku magazine, published by Azerbaijani Russian
Azeris in Russia
Aside from the large Azeri community native to Russia's Dagestan Republic, the majority of Azeris in Russia are fairly recent immigrants. Azeris started settling in Russia around the late 19th century, but their migration became intensive after World War II. It rapidly increased with the collapse...
businessman Aras Agalarov
Aras Agalarov
Aras Agalarov is an Azerbaijani-born Russian businessman, with an estimated fortune of $1.2Bn, the 962nd richest man in the world.Born in Baku, he was educated at the Baku Polytechnical Institute...
, and is married to his son Emin Agalarov
Emin Agalarov
Emin Araz oglu Agalarov , simply known under the stage name Emin, is an Azerbaijani singer-songwriter and businessman. He writes and performs songs in English. Emin went to fame with his debut album Still which sold over 100,000 copies worldwide...
.
Career
In 1995, she established the Friends of Azerbaijani Culture Foundation. In 1996, with financial support from ChevronChevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
, the foundation gave lifetime awards to six representatives of Azerbaijani art and culture. The foundation also sponsored performances in Baku of music by Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
and George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
.
After the death of her father-in-law Heydar Aliyev in 2003, Mrs. Aliyeva established, in 2004, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
Heydar Aliyev Foundation
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is a charitable foundation headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The foundation is named in honor of Azerbaijan's former leader, the late Heydar Aliyev, who was the father of Aliyeva's husband, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.- History :Heydar...
, which focuses on studying and holding events to promote Heydar Aliyev
Heydar Aliyev
Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev , also spelled as Heidar Aliev, Geidar Aliev, Haydar Aliyev, Geydar Aliyev was the third President of Azerbaijan for the New Azerbaijan Party from June 1993 to October 2003, when his son Ilham Aliyev succeeded him.From 1969 till 1982, Aliyev was also the leader of Soviet...
's political ideology. In Azerbaijan, according to a recent news article, "The HAF builds more schools than Azerbaijan's Ministry of Education, more hospitals than the Ministry of Health, and conducts more cultural events than the Ministry of Culture." The Heydar Aliyev Foundation also sponsors projects outside Azerbaijan, including helping to finance renovations at the Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles , or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles in the Île-de-France region of France. In French it is the Château de Versailles....
, and Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely consideredSusan Bernstein: , The Johns Hopkins University Press to be among the finest...
.
Also in 2004, Aliyeva became a designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, to honor her work promoting oral and musical traditions.
In Azerbaijan's 2005 parliamentary elections
Azerbaijan parliamentary election, 2005
The 2005 Azerbaijan parliamentary election was held on November 6. It pitted candidates of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party against opposition led by the Azadlıq bloc of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, the Equality Party and Azerbaijan Democratic Party. The polling stations closed 19:00...
, she was elected to the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. She had previously broken with tradition to help campaign for her husband in 2003, when he ran for President of Azerbaijan.
Awards
Mrs. Aliyeva has received many awards for her humanitation work, including France's prestigious Legion d'HonneurLégion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
, honoring what French President Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
called her "outstanding service and loyalty to France."
In 2010, UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova
Irina Bokova
Irina Georgieva Bokova is a Bulgarian politician, incumbent Directors-General of UNESCO. She was member of the Bulgarian Parliament from the Bulgarian Socialist Party for two terms, minister and deputy minister of foreign affairs in the socialist cabinet of Prime Minister Zhan Videnov, and was...
awarded Aliyeva the UNESCO Mozart Medal
UNESCO Mozart Medal
The UNESCO Mozart Medal is an award named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and administered by UNESCO.-Recipients:* Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, 1991* Alicia Terzian, 1995* Elfi von Dassanowsky, 1996...
"for strengthening the intercultural dialogue".
Diplomatic cables leak
One US embassy dispatchUnited States diplomatic cables leak
The United States diplomatic cables leak, widely known as Cablegate, began in February 2010 when WikiLeaks—a non-profit organization that publishes submissions from anonymous whistleblowers—began releasing classified cables that had been sent to the U.S. State Department by 274 of its consulates,...
leaked by WikiLeaks
Wikileaks
WikiLeaks is an international self-described not-for-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organisation, claimed a database of more...
in 2010 devoted substantial space to Mehriban Aliyeva in the context of discussing the Pashayevs, her family of origin, noting that Mrs. Aliyeva is the family's "most famous member."
Describing her leadership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
Heydar Aliyev Foundation
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is a charitable foundation headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. The foundation is named in honor of Azerbaijan's former leader, the late Heydar Aliyev, who was the father of Aliyeva's husband, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.- History :Heydar...
, the cable said:
Aside from being the President's wife, she is President of the Heydar Aliyev Fund, which proclaims to be a humanitarian organization constructing schools, hospitals, and youth centers, among other projects. These projects provide a constant array of goodwill photo opportunities and advertisements for the First Lady, as she cuts ribbons on new schools and cultural centers.
The cable's remarks about Mrs. Aliyeva's clothing choices, and its claims she used botox and had cosmetic surgery, were widely reported.