# Mehriban Alieva

> Azerbaijani physician and politician; wife of Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliev, Vice President of Azerbaijan and Head of Heydar Aliev Foundation (born 1964)

**Wikidata**: [Q671930](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q671930)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehriban_Aliyeva)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mehriban-alieva

## Summary
Mehriban Alieva is an Azerbaijani physician and politician, born in 1964, who serves as the Vice President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Heydar Aliev Foundation. She is the wife of Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliev, and has played a significant role in public service and cultural diplomacy.

## Biography
- Born: August 26, 1964
- Nationality: Azerbaijani
- Education: Graduated from the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
- Known for: Leadership in public service, ophthalmology, and political advocacy
- Employer(s): Heydar Aliev Foundation, Government of Azerbaijan
- Field(s): Medicine (ophthalmology), Politics, Philanthropy

## Contributions
Mehriban Alieva has made significant contributions in medicine, public service, and philanthropy. As a trained ophthalmologist, she has contributed to healthcare initiatives in Azerbaijan. In her political role as Vice President, she has led national efforts in social development and cultural preservation. As Head of the Heydar Aliev Foundation, she has overseen projects promoting Azerbaijani heritage and international cooperation.

## FAQs
### What is Mehriban Alieva's educational background?
Mehriban Alieva studied medicine at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, one of Russia’s most prestigious medical institutions. She specialized in ophthalmology, a field in which she actively practiced before transitioning into public service.

### What roles does Mehriban Alieva currently hold?
She currently serves as the Vice President of Azerbaijan and is the Head of the Heydar Aliev Foundation. These roles position her at the forefront of national policy and cultural preservation efforts.

### What are Mehriban Alieva's contributions to Azerbaijani society?
As Vice President, she has driven social and cultural initiatives that promote education, healthcare, and national identity. As Head of the Heydar Aliev Foundation, she has supported programs that celebrate Azerbaijani history and foster international understanding.

### What awards has Mehriban Alieva received?
She has been honored with several high-profile distinctions, including the Heydar Aliyev Order, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the Order of Friendship (Russia), and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, among others.

### How is Mehriban Alieva connected to the Heydar Aliev Foundation?
She leads the Heydar Aliev Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of her father-in-law, Heydar Aliev, while advancing cultural, educational, and humanitarian causes in Azerbaijan and beyond.

## Why They Matter
Mehriban Alieva's influence spans public service, medicine, and cultural leadership. As a key figure in Azerbaijan’s political and social landscape, she has shaped national policy and international relations. Her leadership in the Heydar Aliev Foundation has ensured the continuation of cultural and humanitarian efforts aligned with her family's legacy. Her work has elevated Azerbaijan's global profile and contributed to social development within the country.

## Notable For
- First female Vice President of Azerbaijan
- Leadership of the Heydar Aliev Foundation
- Medical background in ophthalmology
- Recipient of the Heydar Aliyev Order and multiple international honors
- Advocacy for cultural preservation and humanitarian causes

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Mehriban Alieva was born on August 26, 1964. She pursued her medical education at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, one of Russia's oldest and most respected medical institutions. Specializing in ophthalmology, she practiced as a physician before transitioning into public life.

### Political Career
Appointed as the First Vice President of Azerbaijan in 2017, Mehriban Alieva became a central figure in the country’s political structure. In this role, she has focused on social development, education, and cultural initiatives. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping public policy and national identity programs.

### Heydar Aliev Foundation
As Head of the Heydar Aliev Foundation, she oversees efforts to preserve the legacy of Heydar Aliev, her father-in-law and former President of Azerbaijan. The foundation supports cultural, educational, and humanitarian projects both domestically and internationally, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s global presence.

### Awards and Recognition
Mehriban Alieva has received numerous honors, including:
- Heydar Aliyev Order (Azerbaijan's highest state award)
- Nishan-e-Pakistan
- Order of Friendship (Russia)
- Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- UNESCO Mozart Medal
- Sretenje Order (Serbia)

These awards reflect her contributions to medicine, diplomacy, and cultural advocacy.

### Public and Cultural Influence
Mehriban Alieva's influence extends to public health, education, and international relations. Her initiatives have supported youth engagement, women's rights, and cultural preservation. She has also played a key role in promoting Azerbaijan’s global image through international collaborations.

### Personal and Professional Ties
As the wife of President Ilham Aliev, Mehriban Alieva holds a unique position in Azerbaijani society. Her public roles are deeply connected to her family's legacy and her own leadership in national and international arenas. She continues to be a symbol of Azerbaijani progress and diplomacy.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [Azerbaijan’s first lady awarded Légion d'honneur. 2010](http://www.news.az/articles/9189)
3. [Azerbaijani First Lady Given Prestigious French Award. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2010](https://www.rferl.org/a/Azerbaijani_First_Lady_Given_Prestigious_French_Award/1960898.html)
4. [Irina Bokova inaugurates the 2nd Gabala International Music Festival in Azerbaijan. UNESCO. 2010](http://www.unesco.org/new/en/goodwill-ambassadors/news-single-view/news/irina_bokova_inaugurates_the_2nd_gabala_international_music/)
5. [Mehriban Aliyeva receives the Ihsan Dogramaci Family Health Foundation Prize and the Golden Heart International Prize. UNESCO. 2007](http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=38210&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. BBC Things
9. Library of Congress Control Number