On June 18, 2025, Sayyid Ali Khamenei remains a key figure in Iran. He is the Supreme Leader of Iran. He has held this position since 1989. His life is a story of struggle, faith, and power. This biography tells about his early life, education, political journey, and leadership. It uses simple words for easy understanding.
Early Life And Family
Sayyid Ali Khamenei was born on April 19, 1939. His birthplace was Mashhad, a holy city in Iran. Mashhad is famous for the shrine of Imam Reza. Ali was the second son of his parents. His father was Sayyid Javad Khamenei. Javad was a religious scholar. He was a humble and pious man. The family lived a simple life. Their house was small, about 65 square meters. It had one room and a basement. Sometimes, they had only bread and raisins for dinner. Ali’s mother, Khadijeh Mirdamadi, was also religious. She supported Ali’s education. The family had eight children. Two of Ali’s brothers also became religious scholars. Ali’s family claimed to be descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. This gave them a special status in Shia Islam.
Ali grew up in a poor neighborhood. His father taught him to live simply. Ali learned the value of humility early. His family faced many hardships. Yet, they stayed strong in their faith. Ali’s father was a well-known cleric. People visited him for advice. When visitors came, the family moved to the basement. This showed their simple lifestyle.
Education and Religious Training
Ali started his education at four. He and his brother Muhammad went to a traditional school called Maktab. There, they learned the Quran and Arabic. Later, Ali joined an Islamic school named Dar al-Ta’leem Diyanat. He completed his primary studies there. In high school, he studied Arabic grammar. He read a book called Jam e` al-Muqaddamaat. After high school, Ali chose to become a religious scholar. His father inspired him. His mother also encouraged this path.
At 14, Ali began seminary studies in Mashhad. His father and other scholars taught him. He studied books like Sharai` al-Islam and Sharh Lum`ah. He learned logic, philosophy, and Islamic law. Ali was a bright student. He finished his intermediate studies in five and a half years. This was very fast. At 18, he started advanced studies called Darsi Kharij. He studied under Ayatollah Milani in Mashhad. In 1957, Ali went to Najaf, Iraq. Najaf is a holy city for Shia Muslims. He attended classes of great scholars. But his father wanted him back in Iran. So, Ali returned after a short time.
From 1958 to 1964, Ali studied in Qom. Qom is a major center for Islamic learning. He learned from famous teachers like Ayatollah Borujerdi and Ruhollah Khomeini. Khomeini later became the leader of the Iranian Revolution. Ali also studied philosophy under Allama Tabataba’i. He became a mujtahid, a scholar who can interpret Islamic law. Ali loved literature too. He read books by Western authors like Victor Hugo and Tolstoy. He also wrote poems under the name “Amin.” Ali was good at music. He could sing and play the tar, a traditional Iranian instrument.
Sayyid Ali Khamenei Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Religion, Wife, Children, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sayyid Ali Khamenei |
| Date of Birth | April 19, 1939 |
| Place of Birth | Mashhad, Iran |
| Family Background | Father: Sayyid Javad Khamenei (religious scholar). Mother: Khadijeh Mirdamadi. Eight children in family. Descendants of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Childhood | Grew up in a poor Mashhad neighborhood. Lived in a small house (65 sq. meters). Ate simple food like bread and raisins. |
| Early Education | Started at age 4. Attended Maktab for Quran and Arabic. Joined Dar al-Ta’leem Diyanat for primary studies. Studied Arabic grammar in high school. |
| Religious Education | Began seminary at 14 in Mashhad. Studied under father and Ayatollah Milani. Went to Najaf (1957) and Qom (1958-1964). Learned from Ayatollah Khomeini and Borujerdi. Became mujtahid (Islamic law expert). |
| Interests | Loved literature, poetry, and music. Read Western novels (Victor Hugo, Tolstoy). Wrote poems as “Amin.” Played the tar (Iranian instrument). |
| Languages | Fluent in Persian, Arabic, and Azerbaijani. |
| Political Activism | Began in 1960s. Opposed Shah’s rule. Followed Ayatollah Khomeini. Arrested six times. Exiled for three years in Baluchi desert. Supported 1979 Iranian Revolution. |
| Assassination Attempt | June 1981: Bomb in tape recorder at Abouzar Mosque injured his right arm (paralyzed). |
| Key Roles Before 1989 | Member of Revolutionary Council (1979). Co-founded Islamic Republican Party. Friday prayer leader in Tehran. Deputy defense minister (1980). President of Iran (1981-1989). |
| Supreme Leader | Became Supreme Leader on June 4, 1989, after Khomeini’s death. Still leads in 2025. Longest-serving leader in Middle East (over 35 years). |
| Powers as Supreme Leader | Controls military, judiciary, media. Decides economy, foreign policy. Guardian Council, chosen by him, checks election candidates. |
| Major Challenges | Protests in 1994, 1999, 2009 (Green Movement), 2022 (Mahsa Amini). Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Tensions with U.S. and Israel (2025). Weak air defenses. |
| Foreign Policy | Supports Hezbollah and “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and West. Backed 2011 Egyptian uprising. Rejects U.S. demands on nuclear program. |
| Religious Status | Grand Ayatollah and marja (top Shia scholar). Follows Velayat-e Faqih (rule by Islamic jurists). Wrote An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran. Translated Sayyid Qutb’s works. |
| Personal Life | Married to Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh. Six children (four sons, two daughters). Sons are religious scholars. Lives simply, like his father taught. |
| Legacy | Shaped Islamic Republic for over 35 years. Known for faith, courage, and defiance. Controversial for strict rule and protest crackdowns. |
Political Activism and Struggles
Ali’s political life began in the 1960s. He was influenced by the 1953 coup in Iran. The coup removed Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. It was supported by the United States and Britain. This made many Iranians angry. Ali joined protests against the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Shah was Iran’s king. He wanted to modernize Iran but ignored religion. Ali followed Ayatollah Khomeini, who opposed the Shah. Khomeini was exiled in 1964. Ali continued his work in Iran.
Ali was arrested six times by the Shah’s police. He spent three years in exile in Iran’s Baluchi desert. The Shah’s secret police, SAVAK, tortured political prisoners. Ali faced hardships but stayed strong. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution happened. The Shah fled Iran. Khomeini returned and became the Supreme Leader. Ali played a big role in the revolution. He helped organize protests. He was a close friend of Khomeini.
Rise to Power
After the revolution, Ali’s career grew fast. He joined the Revolutionary Council. He co-founded the Islamic Republican Party. He became the Friday prayer leader in Tehran. This was a big honor. In 1980, Khomeini made him deputy defense minister. Ali also joined the parliament. In June 1981, Ali survived an assassination attempt. A bomb exploded in a tape recorder at Abouzar Mosque. It injured his right arm, which became paralyzed. Ali said, “I don’t need the hand if my brain and tongue work.” This showed his courage.
In 1981, Ali became Iran’s president. He was the first cleric to hold this post. He served from 1981 to 1989. During this time, Iran fought a war with Iraq. The war lasted from 1980 to 1988. Ali worked closely with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC protected the revolution. Ali built strong ties with them. He also supported Khomeini’s ideas. In 1989, Khomeini died. There was a problem choosing a new Supreme Leader. Khomeini’s deputy, Hussein Ali Montazeri, was removed. Ali was chosen as the new Supreme Leader on June 4, 1989. He was 50 years old.
Role as Supreme Leader
As Supreme Leader, Ali holds the highest power in Iran. He controls the military, judiciary, and media. He makes final decisions on economy, foreign policy, and planning. The Guardian Council, chosen by Ali, checks all candidates for elections. Ali has led Iran for over 35 years. This makes him the longest-serving leader in the Middle East. Only Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi served longer in Iran.
Ali faced many challenges. There were protests in 1994, 1999, 2009, and 2022. The 2009 election protests were called the Green Movement. The 2022 protests followed the death of Mahsa Amini. Ali used the IRGC to stop these protests. He also supported groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon. These groups form the “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and the West. In 2011, Ali supported the Egyptian uprising. He called it an “Islamic awakening.” He spoke in Arabic to connect with Arabs.
Ali is a Grand Ayatollah and marja. This means he is a top religious scholar. He has written books like *An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran*. He translated works by Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian thinker. Ali believes Islam should guide politics. He follows Khomeini’s idea of Velayat-e Faqih, or rule by Islamic jurists. This gives clerics power over the government.
Personal Life and Interests
Ali is married to Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh. They have six children: four sons and two daughters. His sons are religious scholars. Ali loves poetry and literature. He reads Western novels and writes poems. He uses the pen name “Amin.” He is fluent in Persian, Arabic, and Azerbaijani. Ali also enjoys music and plays the tar. His simple lifestyle reflects his father’s teachings.
Challenges and Legacy
In 2025, Ali faces new challenges. Israel attacked Iran, and tensions with the United States grew. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, demanded Iran stop its nuclear program. Ali rejected this as “bullying.” Iran’s air defenses are weak, and its allies, like Hezbollah, face losses. Ali remains defiant but has few options. He continues to lead with caution and strength.
Ali Khamenei’s life is a mix of faith, struggle, and power. From a humble boy in Mashhad to Iran’s Supreme Leader, he shaped the Islamic Republic. His leadership follows Khomeini’s vision. He faced arrests, exile, and an assassination attempt. Yet, he stayed committed to his beliefs. Ali’s love for literature and music shows his unique personality. His 35-year rule has left a strong mark on Iran. He remains a powerful and controversial leader today.