Maryam Rajavi

Maryam Rajavi studied metallurgy at Sharif University of Technology and joined the Mojahedin-e Khalq after two of her sisters were killed — one by SAVAK and one executed by Ruhollah Khomeini's regime in 1982. She rose through MEK ranks, serving as joint leader (1985–1989) and Secretary General (1989–1993), before being elected President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in 1993. She married Massoud Rajavi in 1985. Under her leadership, women hold over half of senior positions in the organization. She is based in exile between France and Albania.