Famous Azerbaijani People

Mehriban Aliyeva is an Azerbaijani physician and politician. She is the current Vice President of Azerbaijan. The wife of Ilham Aliyev, Aliyeva is also the current First Lady of Azerbaijan. Mehriban Aliyeva is also the current Deputy Leader of the New Azerbaijan Party.

Imadaddin Nasimi was an Azerbaijani Ḥurūfī poet who wrote in Persian, Azerbaijani, and Arabic. He is counted among the greatest and most influential Turkic mystical poets of the 14th and 15th centuries. His work has influenced many Turkic language authors and poets such as Khata'i, Fuzûlî, and Pir Sultan Abdal. Imadaddin Nasimi's life and career inspired the 1973 biopic Nesimi.   

Vagit Alekperov is a Russian-Azerbaijani entrepreneur best known for his service as the president of the PJSC Lukoil Oil Company from 1993 to 2022. Counted among the richest people in the world, Vagit Alekperov is also known for his philanthropic efforts. In 2007, he established a non-profit organization called Our Future, which aims at promoting social entrepreneurship in Russia.

Abulfaz Elchibey was an Azerbaijani political figure who served as the President of Azerbaijan from 17 June 1992 to 24 June 1993. He was stripped of his presidency in a coup d'état in 1993. After the end of his presidency, Abulfaz Elchibey served as the leader of the opposition. 

Belarusian kick-boxer Chingiz Allazov has so-far achieved a kickboxing record of 59 wins out of 65, of which 36 wins were secured through knockout. He became the 2017 K-1 World GP -70kg World Tournament Champion and successfully defended the title in 2018. Presently signed with ONE Championship, Allazov is ranked as the #3 lightweight in the world by Combat Press.

Heydar Aliyev was an Azerbaijani politician. From 1993 to 2003, Aliyev served as the president of Azerbaijan. His presidency has attracted criticism and Aliyev was accused of establishing a dictatorial, repressive, and authoritarian regime. He was also accused of muzzling the press and rigging elections. He died of ill health on 12 December 2003.

Artur Rasizade is an Azerbaijani politician known for his service as the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. He served as the Prime Minister on two occasions between 1996 and 2018 and also served as an acting Prime Minister on a couple of occasions. Over the course of his career, Rasizade has been honored with prestigious awards, including the USSR State Prize.

Iranian Azerbaijani author and philosopher Mirza Fatali Akhundov was the first literary critic and realist writer from his country. He developed the Azerbaijani alphabets and script. The 19th-century author is also remembered as the pioneer of atheism and nationalism in his country. He also criticized Islam and other religions.

Khurshidbanu Natavan was an Azerbaijani poet and philanthropist. Regarded as one of the most prominent lyrical poets of Azerbaijan, Natavan was best known for her lyrical ghazals. Also a well-known philanthropist, Khurshidbanu Natavan worked towards promoting the cultural and social development of Karabakh. She is credited with building an aqueduct, which relieved the townsfolk of their water problem.

Sahiba Gafarova is a Azerbaijani politician and professor. She is currently serving as the Speaker of the National Assembly. Since 2004, Sahiba Gafarova has been an important member of the New Azerbaijan Party.  

Ivan Khristoforovich Bagramyan, also known as Hovhannes Baghramian, was a Marshal of the Soviet Union. Born in Yelizavetpol , present-day Azerbaijan, he grew up to be one of the finest military commanders of the Soviet army during World War II and later joined the Communist Party, too.