Ruhollah Khomeini

24 September 1902 – 3 June 1989

Ruhollah Khomeini was an Iranian Shia cleric and revolutionary who led the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew the monarchy. He became the first supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, establishing a theocratic system based on his doctrine of guardianship of the jurist.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Ruhollah Khomeini.

Life events

Born in Khomeyn
24 September 1902

Born in the town of Khomeyn in central Iran into a family of Shia scholars.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Religious studies at Qom
1922

Studied Islamic jurisprudence and theology in the seminary city of Qom, later becoming a teacher there.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Recognized as a Grand Ayatollah
1963

Attained the rank of Grand Ayatollah, becoming a leading Shia religious authority.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Exiled from Iran
4 November 1964 – 1979

Forced into exile for opposing the shah, spending years in Turkey, Iraq, and finally France.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Returned to Iran during the revolution
1 February 1979

Returned in triumph to Tehran as the Iranian Revolution toppled the monarchy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became supreme leader of Iran
3 December 1979

Became the first supreme leader after the Islamic Republic was established by referendum.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led Iran during the Iran-Iraq War
22 September 1980 – 20 August 1988

Directed Iran through the eight-year war with Iraq that followed Iraq's 1980 invasion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Death in Tehran
3 June 1989

Died in Tehran, drawing enormous crowds to his funeral.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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