Shia cleric who led the 1979 Iranian Revolution against the Shah and became the first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
Did you know?Before rising to power, he spent over a decade in exile living in Turkey, Iraq and France for his opposition to the monarchy.
Quick facts
Date of birth17 May 1900
Date of death3 June 1989
Age at death89
Cause of deathMyocardial infarction
NationalityIranian
BirthplaceKhomein, Iran
Occupationulema, Islamic jurist, marji'
Editor's Take:
Ayatollah Khomeini led the revolution that overthrew the Shah of Iran. A senior Shia cleric, he attacked the Shah's rule and close ties with the United States. He was exiled in 1964 and spent 15 years in Turkey, Iraq and France. His recorded sermons were smuggled into Iran. In 1979 he returned to Tehran to cheering crowds and founded the Islamic Republic. As Supreme Leader he oversaw the hostage crisis and the Iran–Iraq War. He issued the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.
Key Milestones
1963: Protests – against the Shah
1964: Exile – begins
1979: Return – Islamic Revolution
1980: Iran–Iraq War – begins
Ruhollah Mostafavi Khomeini (17 May 1900 – 3 June 1989) was an Iranian politician and Shia cleric who served as the first supreme leader of Iran from 1979 until his death in 1989.
