Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (born Mahmoud Sabbaghian on 28 October 1956) is an Iranian traditional politician, engineer, and academic. He held the position of Iran’s sixth president from 2005 to 2013. Recognized for his principlist and nationalist perspectives, he fervently endorsed Iran’s nuclear initiative for peaceful aims. Prior to his presidency, Ahmadinejad served as the mayor of Tehran from 2003 to 2005, reversing numerous moderate reforms and gaining notoriety for his stringent religious beliefs and frugal lifestyle.
He led the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran, a prominent conservative coalition, and was the final chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. Following his presidency, he remained engaged in politics, attempted to run for president again in 2017 and 2021 (both attempts rejected by the Guardian Council), and frequently criticized subsequent Iranian administrations on economic and social matters. As of March 2026, Ahmadinejad resides in Tehran, occasionally provides interviews, pens opinion pieces, and continues to be a polarizing personality in Iran and internationally.
Biography
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born on 28 October 1956 in Aradan, a small community close to Garmsar in Semnan province, Iran. His father, Ahmad, was employed as a grocer and barber, whereas his mother was a homemaker. The family relocated to Tehran when he was just one year old. In 1960, his father altered their surname from Sabbaghian (or Saborjhian) to Ahmadinejad to evade social prejudice in the city. Ahmadinejad grew up in a modest, working-class household and often discusses his straightforward upbringing.
He attended primary and secondary schools in Tehran and was a diligent student from an early age. In 1976, he achieved 132nd position out of 400,000 in Iran’s national university entrance exam. He pursued civil engineering at the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Tehran, securing his bachelor’s degree there. He continued at IUST for his master’s and later completed a PhD in transportation engineering and planning in 1997. While at university, he became politically engaged and joined the Office for Strengthening Unity, a student organization that supported the revolution.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ahmadinejad occupied various government roles in West Azerbaijan province throughout the 1980s, including governor of Maku and Khoy counties. He subsequently became an advisor to the governor-general of Kurdistan province. In 1993, he was appointed governor-general of the newly established Ardabil province and remained in that position until 1997, at which point President Mohammad Khatami replaced him and other governors. Afterwards, Ahmadinejad returned to teaching at IUST while staying involved in conservative politics.
In 2003, Tehran’s city council appointed him as mayor of the capital. He swiftly dismantled numerous reforms from previous moderate mayors, shut down cultural centers deemed overly liberal, promoted religious values in public arenas, and aimed to enhance services in underprivileged neighborhoods. His tenure as mayor made him widely recognized across the country for his populist approach and conservative beliefs.
In 2005, Ahmadinejad contested the presidential election as the representative of the conservative Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran. He astonished many by winning the runoff against former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and assumed office on 3 August 2005. During his initial term, he concentrated on economic redistribution, advancing Iran’s nuclear agenda, and establishing a vigorous foreign policy. He was re-elected in 2009, but the election was shadowed by extensive fraud allegations and significant protests known as the Green Movement. In his second term, he frequently clashed with parliament, the judiciary, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, particularly regarding his support for Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and the dismissal of intelligence minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i.
After exiting office in 2013, Ahmadinejad sought a return to politics in 2017 and 2021, but the Guardian Council disqualified him on both occasions. Since then, he has criticized presidents Hassan Rouhani and Ebrahim Raisi on matters like inflation, corruption, and foreign policy. In 2024, he registered for another presidential run following Raisi’s death, yet was rejected once again. As of March 2026, he remains active on social media, occasionally grants interviews, consistently presenting himself as an outside critic of the current government while still advocating the Islamic Republic’s central revolutionary concepts.
Wife
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad united in marriage with Azamolsadat Farahi in 1981 during the Iran–Iraq War. She has maintained a very low profile throughout his political journey, seldom appearing in media or at official functions and never granting interviews. They are parents to three children: two sons and a daughter. The family lives simply in Tehran, aligning with Ahmadinejad’s public persona of modesty and resistance to opulence.
Education
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pursued his higher education at the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Tehran. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering after securing 132nd position in the 1976 national university entrance exam. He continued at IUST, attaining a master’s degree in the same discipline, followed by a PhD in transportation engineering and planning, which he completed in 1997 while serving as governor-general of Ardabil province. His doctoral research concentrated on traffic and transportation planning challenges in Iran. He later returned to IUST as a lecturer in civil engineering after losing his provincial position in 1997.
Age
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born on 28 October 1956. He is 69 years of age as of March 2026.
Family
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was born to Ahmad and his wife (name not widely disclosed). His father was employed as a grocer and barber. The family was humble and devout. Ahmadinejad has discussed his modest beginnings and how they influenced his perspective. He and his spouse, Azamolsadat Farahi, have three children: two sons (both adults as of 2026) and one daughter. Very little public information exists about his children’s names, careers, or personal lives, as the family keeps a low profile. Ahmadinejad has emphasized familial values and simplicity in his public declarations.
Career & Net Worth
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s professional journey encompasses work in academia, provincial governance, city administration, and national politics. After achieving his PhD, he lectured in civil engineering at IUST. Throughout the 1980s, he held governmental positions in West Azerbaijan province, advised officials in Kurdistan province, and was the governor-general of Ardabil province from 1993 to 1997. He briefly returned to teaching before taking over as mayor of Tehran in 2003, where he garnered national recognition for his populist policies and conservative reforms. He ascended to the presidency in 2005 and served two terms until 2013.
His administration focused on economic redistribution, rendering Iran’s nuclear program self-reliant, and confronting Western nations. After exiting office, he attempted to run for president again in 2017, 2021, and 2024, but faced rejection from the Guardian Council each time. He has continued to voice criticism, referring to subsequent administrations on economic and foreign policy challenges.
Ahmadinejad has perpetually depicted himself as leading a simple life. There is no credible public evidence of personal wealth beyond a typical home in Tehran and a modest lifestyle. Some opposition and exile groups have alleged that he possesses hidden wealth connected to oil profits or foundations, but these accusations remain unsubstantiated and are vehemently denied by Ahmadinejad and his supporters. As of March 2026, his net worth is not disclosed in reliable sources, and most estimations are speculative due to limited transparency in Iranian political matters.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (born Mahmoud Sabbaghian) |
| Date of Birth | 28 October 1956 |
| Age (March 2026) | 69 |
| Wife | Azamolsadat Farahi (married 1981–present) |
| Children | Three (two sons and one daughter; names and details private) |
| Education | PhD in Transportation Engineering & Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology (1997) |
| Key Career Roles | Governor of Ardabil Province (1993–1997); Mayor of Tehran (2003–2005); President of Iran (2005–2013) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified; claims of wealth are disputed and unproven |
As of 2026, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remains one of Iran’s most contentious and prominent political personalities. From his tenure as mayor to his presidency and later as an outspoken critic, his career has been characterized by populist allure, conservative convictions, and ongoing disputes with both reformists and hardliners in Iran.
