Ali Amini
Ali Amini | |
---|---|
67th Prime Minister of Iran | |
In office 5 May 1961 – 19 July 1962 | |
Monarch | Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi |
Preceded by | Jafar Sharif-Emami |
Succeeded by | Asadollah Alam |
Minister of Economic Affairs | |
In office 19 August 1953 – 7 April 1955 | |
Prime Minister | Fazlollah Zahedi |
Preceded by | Nezam-ed-din Emami |
Succeeded by | Nasrollah Jahangir |
Minister of Culture | |
In office 21 July 1952 – 19 August 1953 | |
Prime Minister | Mohammad Mosaddegh |
Preceded by | Ali Jahangiri |
Succeeded by | Mohammad Sepehri |
Personal details | |
Born |
12 December 1905 Tehran, Iran |
Died |
12 December 1992 87) Paris, France | (aged
Political party | Democratic Party |
Spouse(s) | Batol Vosogh |
Children | Iraj Amini |
Alma mater | Tehran University |
Religion | Twelver Shi'a Islam |
Ali Amini (12 December 1905 – 12 December 1992) was an Iranian politician and writer who was the Prime Minister of Iran from 6 May 1961 to 19 July 1962.
Early life
Amini was born on 12 December 1905 in Tehran.[1] He was a grandson of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar through his mother, Fakhr ol dowleh. He completed his studies first in Darolfonoon and then in France where he graduated with a degree in law from Grenoble University,[2] followed by his Ph.D in economics from Paris.
He became involved in politics through the help of Ali Akbar Davar who gave him a position in the judiciary.
Career
At the age of 37, Amini was selected as a minister to serve in the cabinet of Ahmad Ghavam. He was a member of the National Front, but broke away from the party in 1952.[2]
He was minister of culture from 1952 to 1953. He became minister of economic affairs in the cabinet of Fazlollah Zahedi and remain in office until 1955. The same year he was named ambassador to the US.[2] His tendencies were pro-American to the extent that made the Shah uncomfortable. Mohammad Reza Shah in particular distrusted Amini's popularity and friendship with then-senator John F. Kennedy. Therefore, his tenure ended in 1958.[2]
In the 1950s, Amini was a candidate for premiership. He was appointed prime minister in 1961. In July 1962, however, he was replaced by the Shah's close friend and a major Birjand landowner Asadollah Alam. In the late 1970s, Amini attempted a comeback into Iranian politics at the age of 70. He served as advisor to the Shah during the final days of the Pahlavi Dynasty.
Personal life
Amini married Batoul Voosough (died 1992) in 1932 and they had a son, Iraj.[1]
Honours
Amini was awarded Grand Croix of the Legion of Honor in 1962.[3]
Later years and death
In 1979, Amini moved to Paris, France. There he headed the Front for the Liberation of Iran, a monarchist opposition group.[4] He complained about internal struggle among the exiled Iranian monachists, saying "We're not even back in Tehran [and] they quarrel over the name of the country's future prime minister."[4] He wrote his biography published by Harvard University.
He died in Paris on 12 December 1992, his 87th birthday.[1] His body was buried in Passy Cemetery.
References
- 1 2 3 Moin, Baqer (17 December 1992). "Obituary: Ali Amini". The Independent. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Rubin, Barry (1980). Paved with Good Intentions (PDF). New York: Penguin Books. p. 106.
- ↑ "Ali Amini; Foe of Iran's Islamic Government". Los Angeles Times. 17 December 1992. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- 1 2 "Rivalry complicates Iranian exile struggle". The Christian Science Monitor. 3 July 1986. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- Habib Ladjevardi, editor, Memories of Ali Amini (in Persian), second edition, 244 p. (Harvard University Press, 1997). ISBN 0-932885-11-X
- 'Alí Rizā Awsatí (عليرضا اوسطى), Iran in the past three centuries (Irān dar Se Qarn-e Goz̲ashteh - ايران در سه قرن گذشته), Volumes 1 and 2 (Paktāb Publishing - انتشارات پاکتاب, Tehran, Iran, 2003). ISBN 964-93406-6-1 (Vol. 1), ISBN 964-93406-5-3 (Vol. 2).
External links
- Transcript of Amini interview as part of Harvard Iranian Oral History Project directed by Habib Ladjevardi
- Dr. Ali Amini, Prime Minister, Switzerland, 1962, A short passage (1:53) of an interview on YouTube, in French, with Dr. Ali Amini,.
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Ali Jahangiri |
Minister of Culture 1952–1953 |
Succeeded by Mohammad Sepehri |
Preceded by Nezam-ed-din Emami |
Minister of Economic Affairs 1953–1955 |
Succeeded by Nasrollah Jahangir |
Preceded by Jafar Sharif-Emami |
Prime Minister of Iran 1961–1962 |
Succeeded by Asadollah Alam |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Ahmad Qavam |
Leader of Democratic Party 1949-1965 |
Succeeded by Party Dissolved |