Elected president in 1980, Banisadr was impeached 16 months after taking office for challenging the growing power of clerics.He fled to France, where he was briefly part of a group dedicated to trying to overthrow the clerical authorities. His family say he died at a Paris hospital after a long illness. Abolhassan Banisadr was born on March 22, 1933, in Hamadan. He pursued higher education in France, earning a PhD in Economics from the University of Paris. During his time in France, Banisadr was deeply influenced by political philosophy and economic theory, which later shaped his approach to governance and reform.
Banisadr became involved in political activism opposing the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He joined the opposition in exile and aligned himself with movements advocating democracy and social justice. His academic background in economics also positioned him as a critical thinker about economic policies under the monarchy. After the 1979 Revolution, Banisadr returned and quickly rose to prominence due to his political insight, economic expertise, and connections with revolutionary leaders. He became Minister of Finance and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, showcasing his ability to navigate new political landscape.
