Alireza Nobari
Alireza Nobari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1947 |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, central banker |
| Years active | 1979–1981 |
| Known for | Youngest Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran |
Alireza Nobari served as the youngest Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Bank Markazi Iran), assuming the position at the age of thirty-two.
Education
Nobari obtained advanced degrees in mathematics, physics, economics, and operations research from Ecole Polytechnique and Stanford. Notably, he was the first Iranian in over three decades to secure a full scholarship to Ecole Polytechnique, an honor granted after achieving the top national score on his secondary school examinations.
Career
In 1979, President Abolhassan Banisadr appointed Nobari as Governor, a role he held until his removal during the 1981 coup that also deposed Banisadr. Amid the Iran Hostage Crisis, Nobari appeared on American ABC's Nightline with Ted Koppel, advocating for the release of Iranian funds frozen in U.S. banks and working toward freeing the hostages. His initiatives received support from Banisadr but faced opposition from factions loyal to Khomeini.
After Banisadr and Nobari were impeached, their adherents were subjected to imprisonment, torture, or execution. To avoid capture, Nobari disguised himself and went into hiding. Eventually, with help from two athletes—who were later executed for their assistance—he escaped Iran by crossing the Zagros Mountains into Turkey.
Currently, Nobari lives in Switzerland with his wife Zahra Banisadr and their three children. Additionally, he has two children from a previous marriage to Cheryl Hugle, daughter of American inventor and scientist Frances Hugle.
Publications
- Ali Reza Nobari, ed. Iran Erupts: Independence: News and Analysis of the Iranian National Movement. Stanford: Iran-America Documentation Group, 1978.