Who Is Heydar Aliyev? Age, Biography and Wiki
Heydar Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923. As of 2025, he would have celebrated his 102nd birthday. Renowned for his significant impact on Azerbaijan's political landscape, Aliyev’s leadership strategies and reforms shape the country even today. A native of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Aliyev rose through the ranks of the Soviet government before becoming a prominent leader in the newly independent Azerbaijan.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 10, 1923 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan SSR, Transcaucasian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
| Date of death | 12 December, 2003 |
| Died Place | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
Popularity
Heydar Aliyev's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Heydar Aliyev’s height and weight during his lifetime are not commonly documented, he was known for his commanding presence and charisma. Historical archives often reference him as a tall and robust individual, which complemented his role as a leader.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Heydar Aliyev was married to Zarifa Aliyeva (née 1916 – 2006), a distinguished doctor who contributed significantly to public health in Azerbaijan. The couple had two children: a son, Ilham Aliyev, who succeeded him as President, and a daughter, Sevil Aliyeva. Although there are no known relationships outside of his marriage, his family remains a pivotal part of his lasting legacy.
His family had moved to Nakhchivan before his birth from the village of Comardlı (modern-day Tanahat in the Syunik Province of Armenia), located only a few miles from Nakhchivan.
Some sources claim that Aliyev was actually born 2 years earlier in Comardlı, but that it was later decided that a senior Azerbaijani politician should not have an Armenian place of birth. His father was from Comardlı and his mother was from Vorotan (also in modern-day Syunik Province of Armenia).
Aliyev had four brothers: Hasan, Huseyn, Jalal, and Agil, as well as three sisters: Sura, Shafiga and Rafiga.
Net Worth and Salary
During his presidency, Heydar Aliyev’s net worth was primarily derived from his government salary and assets accrued through his long political career. While specific figures are challenging to ascertain, it is estimated that his net worth was modest compared to contemporary world leaders. His focus was more on political stability and national development rather than personal wealth accumulation.
The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan was established by Presidential Decree in December 1999 to gather the income gained from oil profit with the aim of financing social and economic projects.
As a result of the oil strategy developed by Aliyev, Azerbaijani oil was planned to be carried through different routes as Baku–Supsa, Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline (BTC), etc.
In order to export Azerbaijani oil to the European market, the presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey agreed to construct the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in 1998 in Ankara.
The ground-breaking ceremony of BTC took place in September 2002 with the participation of Aliyev, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and Georgian President Edward Shevardnadze.
Career, Business and Investments
Heydar Aliyev's political career began in the Soviet Union, where he quickly gained recognition for his administrative abilities. Upon becoming the leader of Azerbaijan following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he pushed forward a series of economic reforms, fostering foreign investment and boosting the oil industry. His tenure is marked by significant infrastructure projects, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which solidified Azerbaijan's strategic role in global energy markets.
After graduating from the Nakhchivan Pedagogical School, Aliyev attended the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute (now the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University) from 1939 to 1941, where he studied architecture. In 1949 and 1950, he studied at the USSR Ministry of State Security Higher School in Leningrad.
Aliyev's official biography also states that he studied at Baku State University, graduating with a degree in history in 1957. According to American journalist Pete Earley, Aliyev first attended the Ministry of State Security Academy in Leningrad and graduated in 1944.
He also took Senior Staff Professional Development courses at the Dzerzhinsky Higher School of the KGB in Moscow in 1966.
Social Network
Although the concept of social networking as we know it today wasn’t available during Heydar Aliyev’s active years, he was known to engage with international leaders and foster diplomatic relationships. His legacy continues through a variety of organizations and foundations that preserve his teachings and contributions to Azerbaijan, including educational and cultural initiatives.
He was a high-ranking official in the KGB of the Azerbaijan SSR, serving for 28 years in Soviet state security organs (1941–1969). He governed Soviet Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982 as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan. He held the post of First Deputy Premier of the Soviet Union from 1982 to 1987.
He rose through the ranks due to his close associations with Leonid Brezhnev and Yuri Andropov.
Education
Heydar Aliyev graduated from the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy in 1942 and later furthered his education through various political and military training programs throughout his career. His educational background laid the groundwork for his eventual rise in the ranks of Soviet and later Azerbaijani politics.
He joined the Azerbaijan SSR People's Commissariat for State Security (NKGB) in 1944 and proceeded to become the department head of the State Security Committee of Azerbaijan SSR in 1950, after he graduated from the Senior Staff Training School of the USSR State Security Committee.
