Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva celebrates birthday

Today, August 26, marks the birthday of Azerbaijan’s First Vice-President and First Lady, Mehriban Aliyeva.

As Caliber.Az recalls, Mehriban Arif gizi Aliyeva was born on August 26, 1964, in Baku into a family of intellectuals.

In 1981, she graduated with a gold medal from Baku Secondary School No. 23 and entered the Preventive-Treatment Faculty of the Azerbaijan State Medical Institute named after N. Narimanov. In 1988, she graduated with honours from the First Moscow State Medical Institute named after I.M. Sechenov.

From 1988 to 1990, she completed her clinical residency at the same institute, specialising in ophthalmology. Between 1990 and 1995, she worked at the Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases under the guidance of academician Krasnov.

Since 1995, Aliyeva has served as president of the Azerbaijan Culture Foundation, established on her initiative. To promote Azerbaijani culture more broadly, in 1996 she founded the magazine "Azərbaycan – İrs" (Azerbaijan – Heritage), published in three languages: Azerbaijani, Russian, and English.

On October 7, 2002, she was elected president of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF). At that time, AGF covered the development of four gymnastic disciplines; today, nine disciplines are practised in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani gymnasts have competed at the Olympic Games and won medals at World and European Championships. In 2014, the National Gymnastics Arena (Milli Gimnastika Arenası)—one of the most unique sports facilities in the world—was inaugurated for training and competitions.

Throughout her life, Mehriban Aliyeva has dedicated herself to serving Azerbaijan. A steadfast support to President Ilham Aliyev in all his endeavours, she is at the same time a role model in successfully combining public and state activities with devotion to her family.

The Caliber.Az team warmly congratulates Mehriban Aliyeva on her birthday, wishing her strong health, continued success, and many happy years ahead.