Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, holds a level of influence unmatched by any elected official in the country. Though widely seen as a modest religious figure, Khamenei’s true reach extends far beyond the traditional role of a cleric. As the ultimate authority over Iran’s military, courts, media, and foreign policy, he operates as the nation’s de facto ruler. His public reputation is marked by religious devotion and simplicity—but behind that image lies control of a shadowy financial network worth billions.
Khamenei, a Shiite cleric by training, studied in Qom and rose through the ranks as a trusted disciple of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Though he briefly served as president during the turbulent early years of the Islamic Republic, it was Khomeini’s death that propelled him to the position of Supreme Leader. His appointment raised eyebrows, as he lacked the traditional clerical credentials typically required for the role. Nevertheless, over the past three decades, Khamenei has strengthened his hold on power by building loyal networks, overcoming rivals, and maintaining control amid both domestic unrest and global scrutiny.
Early Life and Religious Background
Ali Hosseini Khamenei was born on July 17, 1939*, in Mashhad, Iran, into a family with a modest religious background. His father was a well-regarded Islamic scholar, which influenced Khamenei’s early path into clerical education. He eventually relocated to Qom, Iran’s religious hub, where he studied under prominent Shiite scholars, most notably Ayatollah Khomeini. The latter’s fierce opposition to the Shah’s rule deeply shaped Khamenei’s ideological foundation.
Note: Some sources suggest his birth year as 1935, but official Iranian records typically cite 1939.
Revolutionary Path
By the 1960s, Khamenei was actively opposing the Shah’s Western-aligned government. His activism led to multiple arrests, time in prison, and periods of exile. Following the fall of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the 1979 revolution, Khamenei emerged as a key player in shaping the Islamic Republic. He served in the Revolutionary Council and later became Iran’s third president in 1981 after his predecessor was assassinated.
During the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), Khamenei’s presidency was marked by collaboration with powerful clerics and the military establishment. While he didn’t hold the marja status—normally a prerequisite for Supreme Leadership—his unwavering loyalty to Khomeini and close ties to the revolutionary elite enabled his rise to Iran’s highest post after Khomeini’s death.
Reign as Supreme Leader
Khamenei’s elevation in 1989 signaled a shift in Iran’s power dynamics. Unlike Khomeini, who had shared some power with elected officials, Khamenei expanded the role of Supreme Leader to dominate every key institution in the country. He commands the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), oversees the judiciary, censors the media, and plays a decisive role in both domestic and foreign policy.
Throughout his tenure, he has steered Iran through wars, internal dissent, sanctions, and nuclear negotiations. While known for hardline views, Khamenei has at times adopted strategic flexibility to preserve the regime. His leadership style—often described as a blend of rigid ideology and political pragmatism—has ensured the longevity of his rule, regardless of the country’s political shifts.
The Hidden Fortune: Setad and the $200 Billion Allegation
Despite his austere public image, Khamenei is reportedly connected to a massive financial conglomerate known as Setad, or “The Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam.” Originally established in 1989 to manage abandoned properties after the revolution, Setad has since evolved into a multibillion-dollar empire with interests in real estate, banking, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals.
A 2013 Reuters investigation estimated Setad’s assets at around $95 billion. Later U.S. assessments claimed the figure could be as high as $200 billion. Although Khamenei does not personally own these assets, he exercises complete control over the organization, effectively granting him enormous economic influence with minimal oversight.
Setad has drawn controversy over how it amassed its wealth—often by seizing properties from religious minorities and individuals associated with the previous monarchy. During the COVID-19 crisis, the organization played a central role in public health, even producing Iran’s first domestic vaccine, COVIran Barekat. Khamenei took the vaccine on live TV, reinforcing both public trust and Setad’s presence in Iranian life.
Private Life
In 1964, Khamenei married Mansoureh Khojasteh Baqer Zadeh. The couple has six children—four sons and two daughters. However, details about his family remain closely guarded. While his children largely stay out of the public eye, rumors suggest that some, like his son Mojtaba Khamenei, may wield quiet influence behind the scenes.
