37 notable historical figures from Iraq, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.
Iraq has produced influential figures in politics, military, literature, and activism, with 37 individuals noted in historical records. The country’s most significant contributions are in political leadership, with 29 figures. These include former president Saddam Hussein, Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, and current political figures such as Muqtada al-Sadr and Barham Salih. Military personnel account for 7 individuals. Writers and journalists each contribute 4 notable figures to Iraq’s cultural sphere. Among the most internationally recognized personalities are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad Basee, known for her human rights advocacy, and architect Zaha Hadid, whose designs impacted modern architecture globally. Other figures include former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, former President Fuad Masum, longtime Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz, and Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani. These individuals have influenced Iraq’s political development, cultural identity, and international presence, representing various ethnic and religious communities.
Authoritarian president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003 who led the country through the Iran-Iraq War and Gulf War before being overthrown by the US-led invasion. He was captured, tried, and executed for crimes against humanity in 2006.
Christian politician who served as Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister under Saddam Hussein for over two decades. He was the international face of the Ba'ath regime and died in prison in 2015 after being convicted of crimes against humanity.
Groundbreaking Iraqi-British architect known for her deconstructivist designs and fluid, futuristic buildings including the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004.
Islamic State leader who succeeded Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as caliph in 2019 after the latter's death. He was killed in a US military operation in Syria in 2022.
Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri was Saddam Hussein's deputy and the King of Clubs in the U.S. military's deck of most-wanted Iraqi officials.
Politician who has served as Prime Minister of Iraq since October 2022, leading a government focused on economic reform and combating corruption. He previously held various ministerial and gubernatorial positions.
Civil engineer turned militia commander who led Iranian-backed paramilitary forces in Iraq and was deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces. He was killed alongside Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in 2020.
Electrical engineer and politician who served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2014 to 2018, leading the country during the war against ISIS. He oversaw the military campaign that recaptured Iraqi territory from the Islamic State.
Military commander and cousin of Saddam Hussein who earned the nickname 'Chemical Ali' for ordering chemical weapon attacks against Kurdish civilians. He was executed in 2010 for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Influential Shia cleric and politician who leads the Sadrist Movement, one of Iraq's largest political blocs. He commands significant popular support among Iraq's Shia majority and has been a major power broker in post-2003 Iraqi politics.
Ba'ath Party leader who served as President of Iraq from 1968 to 1979 before being pushed aside by his protégé Saddam Hussein. He helped bring the Ba'ath Party to power through the 1968 coup.
Younis Mahmoud captained Iraq's national football team to victory in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final.
Kurdish nationalist leader who spent decades fighting for Kurdish autonomy and is considered the father of modern Kurdish nationalism in Iraq. He founded the Kurdistan Democratic Party and led Kurdish resistance movements for over 50 years.
Television journalist who gained international fame for throwing his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a 2008 Baghdad press conference. His act of protest made him a symbol of Arab anger over the Iraq War.
Shia politician who served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2014 during the height of sectarian violence and the rise of ISIS. His divisive leadership and authoritarian tendencies contributed to political instability in Iraq.
Abu Nidal was a Palestinian militant who founded the Abu Nidal Organization in 1974, one of the most feared terrorist groups of the 1970s and 1980s.
Former intelligence chief and human rights activist who served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2020 to 2022. He previously worked as a journalist and researcher documenting human rights abuses under Saddam Hussein.
Military officer who served as President of Iraq from 1966 to 1968 after succeeding his brother Abdul Salam Arif. His presidency ended when the Ba'ath Party seized power in a bloodless coup.
Nuri as-Said served as Prime Minister of Iraq fourteen times between 1930 and 1958, dominating Iraqi politics until his death during the 1958 revolution.
Neurologist and politician who served as Iraq's first post-Saddam Prime Minister from 2004 to 2005, leading the interim government. He founded the Iraqi National Accord party and played a key role in opposition to Saddam Hussein while in exile.
Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer served as interim President of Iraq from 2004 to 2005 following the end of the Coalition Provisional Authority.
Yazidi human rights activist who survived ISIS captivity and sexual slavery, later becoming a UN Goodwill Ambassador. She won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Salwan Momika was an Iraqi refugee in Sweden who gained international attention for burning copies of the Quran in public demonstrations before his death in 2025.
Kurdish politician who served as the 6th President of Iraq from 2005 to 2014 and was a founding member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. He played a key role in Iraqi politics following the 2003 US invasion.
Louis Raphaël I Sako serves as the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church worldwide since 2013.
Kurdish civil engineer and politician who has served as President of Iraq since 2022. He previously served as Minister of Water Resources and was involved in Kurdistan Regional Government politics.
Kurdish intellectual and politician who served as the 7th President of Iraq from 2014 to 2018. He was a founding member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and spent years in exile before returning after 2003.
Bashar Warda is the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Erbil and a prominent advocate for persecuted Christians in Iraq and the Middle East.
Military officer and politician who served as President of Iraq from 1963 to 1966 following the Ba'ath coup that overthrew the monarchy. He was killed in a helicopter crash in 1966.
Kurdish politician who served as President of Iraq from 2018 to 2022 and previously held senior positions in the Kurdistan Regional Government. He played a significant role in Iraqi Kurdish politics for over two decades.
Iraqi journalist and writer known for his literary works and contributions to Arabic journalism. He has worked as a correspondent and author covering Middle Eastern affairs.
Iraqi politician and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq (1892-1965)
Economist and politician who served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2018 to 2020 before resigning amid widespread anti-government protests. He previously held various ministerial positions including Oil Minister.
Ibrahim al-Jaafari served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2005 to 2006 during the country's transition to democracy following the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Kurdish leader who served as the first President of the Kurdistan Regional Government from 2005 to 2017. Son of legendary Kurdish leader Mustafa Barzani, he led the Kurdistan Democratic Party for decades.
Nechirvan Barzani is the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq since 2019 and a leading figure in the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
Sajida Talfah was the first wife of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and mother to his sons Uday and Qusay Hussein.