Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Net Worth

Net Worth: $5 Million
Category: Richest Politicians › Presidents
Birthdate: October 28, 1956 (68 years old)
Birthplace: Aradan, Semnan Province, Iran
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Profession: Politician, Civil Engineer, Teacher
Nationality: Iran

What Is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Net Worth?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, an Iranian nationalist politician, has a net worth of $5 million. He served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, a period marked by controversy over his push for nuclear development, hostile foreign relations, and widespread human rights abuses. After leaving office, Ahmadinejad sought to reclaim the presidency in 2017 and 2021, but the Guardian Council rejected his candidacies both times.

Early Life and Education

Born Mahmoud Sabbaghian on October 28, 1956, in Aradan, Semnan Province, in the Imperial State of Iran, Ahmadinejad was the son of Ahmad, a grocer and barber, and Khanom. He had two siblings, a brother named Davoud and a sister named Parvin. At age one, his family moved to Tehran, where their surname was later changed to Ahmadinejad. In 1976, he excelled in Iran’s national university entrance exam and enrolled at the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) to study civil engineering. He returned to IUST years later, earning a PhD in 1997.

Career Beginnings

In the 1980s, Ahmadinejad held administrative roles in West Azerbaijan Province and joined the Office for Strengthening Unity, a student group aimed at countering the militant Mojahedin-e Khalq dissidents. From 1986 to 1988, he served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He then became a lecturer at IUST, his alma mater. In the early 1990s, during his doctoral studies, he was appointed governor of the newly established Ardabil Province, a role he held until 1997 when President Mohammad Khatami replaced all provincial governors. Ahmadinejad then resumed teaching at IUST.

Mayor of Tehran

In 2003, Tehran’s City Council elected Ahmadinejad as mayor. Over his two-year term, he reversed many reforms enacted by previous moderate and reformist mayors, prioritizing conservative religious initiatives, charity programs, and gender segregation in municipal offices.

President of Iran

Backed by the conservative Alliance of Builders, which he led, Ahmadinejad ran for president in 2005. He won with 62% of the vote in a runoff against Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. His presidency was polarizing. Domestically, his economic policies led to the highest budget deficit since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and he abolished birth-control programs. Internationally, he drew condemnation for advancing Iran’s nuclear program, making antisemitic and homophobic statements, and fostering hostility toward nations like Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, and various Arab states. His administration was also accused of detaining and torturing political dissidents, exacerbating human rights concerns.

In 2009, Ahmadinejad secured reelection amid allegations of fraud, triggering widespread protests. His second term saw continued controversy, including corruption scandals and a power struggle with reformers in parliament. Tensions peaked when he sacked Intelligence Minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i and pushed for his adviser Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei’s candidacy, prompting parliament to summon him in 2012—the first Iranian president to face such scrutiny. In that year’s parliamentary elections, allies of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei won roughly 75% of seats, dealing Ahmadinejad a significant blow. He left office in 2013, succeeded by Hassan Rouhani.

Later Attempts at the Presidency

Ahmadinejad announced his intent to run for president again in 2017, but the Guardian Council disqualified him. He made another bid in 2021, only to face rejection once more by the same body.