Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, 1939-2026

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, passed away in 2026 at the age of 87, marking the end of an era for the Islamic Republic he had guided for nearly four decades. Born in 1939 in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Khamenei rose through the ranks of Iran's Shia clergy to become one of the most influential figures in the Islamic Republic's history. He succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as Iran's Supreme Leader in 1989, consolidating power and overseeing Iran's transformation from a revolutionary state to a regional powerhouse. His leadership was characterized by a hardline approach both domestically and internationally, with Iran expanding its influence across the Middle East through proxy groups and strategic alliances. During his tenure, Khamenei maintained ultimate authority over all state matters, including the military, judiciary, and media, consistently suppressing domestic protests while projecting Iranian power abroad.