Khadijeh Saqafi
Khadijeh Saqafi (aka Ghods Iran Saqafi) (1913 – 21 March 2009) was the wife of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Early life
Saqafi was the daughter of Hajj Mirza Tehrani a respected cleric.[1]
Marriage and later years
Saqafi married Ruhollah Khomeini in 1929, when she was 16.[2] She gave birth to seven children with Khomeini during her life, though only five survived childhood.[3] Her son, Mostafa, died in Iraq in 1977, while a second son, Ahmad, died of cardiac arrest in 1995 at the age of 50.[2]
Saqafi, who largely stayed out of the Iranian public's eye, has been described as a strong supporter of her husband's opposition to the Shah of Iran.[2] Former President of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, referred to Saqafi as the "closest and most patient" supporter for her husband."[2]
Death
Saqafi died on 21 March 2009, in Tehran after a long illness at the age of 93.[2] Thousands of people attended her funeral, including the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[2] Saqafi was buried next to her husband at his Mausoleum in Behesht-e Zahra.[4] She was survived by her three daughters.[2]
References
- ↑ Dabashi, H. (1993). Theology of discont (PDF). New York: New York University Press.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Khadijeh Saqafi, Khomeini's Wife, Is Dead at 93". Associated Press. New York Times. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ↑ "'Mother of Islamic Revolution' passes away". Press TV. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ↑ "Iranians mourn Khomeini's widow". BBC News. 22 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
Honorary titles | ||
---|---|---|
First New title |
Spouse of Supreme Leader of Iran 1979–1989 |
Succeeded by Khojaste Bagherzadeh as Wife of Ali Khamenei |