Description
Abolhassan Banisadr Biography (1933–2021) was the first President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, serving from February 1980 until his impeachment in June 1981. Born in Hamadan, he studied economics at the University of Tehran and the Sorbonne in Paris.
Banisadr was an active participant in the anti-Shah student movement in the early 1960s, leading to his imprisonment twice and injuries during the 1963 uprising. After being exiled to France, he joined Ayatollah Khomeini’s resistance group and became one of Khomeini’s key advisors.
Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Banisadr returned to Iran with Khomeini. He was appointed as the deputy minister of finance and later became the minister of finance and acting foreign minister. In January 1980, he was elected president with 75.6% of the vote.
His presidency was marked by conflicts with the Islamic clergy, particularly Ayatollah Khomeini, leading to his impeachment in June 1981. After fleeing to France, Banisadr continued to advocate for democracy and human rights in Iran. He passed away in Paris on October 9, 2021, after a long illness.
