Today is the birthday of the President of Azerbaijan and the Victorious Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev.

Axar.az reports that the head of state turns 63 today.

Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev was born on December 24, 1961, in Baku. From 1967 to 1977, he studied at secondary school No. 6 in Baku. Between 1977 and 1982, he attended the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). After graduating from MGIMO, he entered its postgraduate program in 1982. In 1985, he defended his dissertation, earning a candidate of historical sciences degree, and worked as a lecturer at MGIMO from 1985 to 1990. Between 1991 and 1994, he was involved in private business and managed several industrial and commercial enterprises.

From 1994 to August 2003, Ilham Aliyev served as Vice President and later First Vice President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). He actively participated in implementing the oil strategy initiated by national leader Heydar Aliyev.

He was elected as a member of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) in 1995 and 2000. Since 1997, he has served as the President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. In 1999, he was elected Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party, in 2001 as First Deputy Chairman, and in 2005 as Chairman of the party.

From 2001 to 2003, he led the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). In January 2003, he was elected Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and a member of its Bureau.

On August 4, 2003, following confirmation by the Milli Majlis, Ilham Aliyev was appointed Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Consequently, his parliamentary mandate was terminated.

On October 15, 2003, Ilham Aliyev was elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. More than 76% of voters cast their ballots in favor of Ilham Aliyev in the presidential elections.

In 2004, he was awarded the honorary member diploma and medal of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

On October 15, 2008, in the presidential elections, Ilham Aliyev was re-elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan with 88.73% of the votes.

In the elections held on October 9, 2013, Ilham Aliyev was elected President once again with 84.54% of the votes.

In the elections held on April 11, 2018, Ilham Aliyev secured 86.02% of the votes and was re-elected as President of Azerbaijan.

In the early elections held in Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024, Ilham Aliyev received 92.12% of the votes, once again becoming the President of the country.

Ilham Aliyev is fluent in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, French, and Turkish. In 1983, he married Mehriban Aliyeva. They have three children—Leyla, Arzu, and Heydar—and five grandchildren.

On September 27, 2020, in response to large-scale provocations along the frontline by the Armenian armed forces, the Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation later named "Iron Fist." The 44-day Patriotic War resulted in the liberation of occupied territories and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, achieved under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev.

During this time, the Azerbaijani Army, under President Aliyev’s command, successfully implemented the previously unfulfilled resolutions of the UN Security Council by clearing Karabakh and surrounding regions from occupation. These achievements reflect President Ilham Aliyev’s visionary leadership, military strategy, political and economic reforms, diplomatic skills, and successful foreign policy.

On September 19, 2023, local anti-terror measures were launched in the region to ensure the provisions of the trilateral statement, prevent large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces, neutralize their military infrastructure, and safeguard the security of returning civilians, reconstruction workers, and military personnel. These measures also aimed to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the operation, which lasted just over 23 hours, the forward and deep positions, long-term firing points, combat equipment, and military installations of Armenian armed forces were neutralized using high-precision weaponry. The enemy raised the white flag and surrendered, resulting in the restoration of constitutional order across all Azerbaijani territories.

On October 15, 2023, the head of state visited the cities of Khankendi, Khojavend, Shusha, Khojaly, and Agdara, as well as the Askeran Fortress, where he raised the Azerbaijani flag.