Ayaz Mutallibov

Lore & Background

Mutallibov was born in Baku to a physician father and a gynecologist mother, both from Shamakhi. In his youth, he was fond of jazz music and played volleyball. He then cancelled the forthcoming presidential elections.

Reader's Guide

Ayaz Mutallibov's significance lies in his role as the transitional figure from Soviet rule to Azerbaijani independence. As the last leader of Soviet Azerbaijan and the first president of the independent republic, he oversaw the formal renaming of the country and the adoption of a sovereignty declaration. Mutallibov's legacy is contested: he is remembered for his initial leadership during independence but also for the military losses in Nagorno-Karabakh and his brief restoration and subsequent exile.

Did You Know?

• Mutallibov was fond of jazz music and enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, for which he was criticized by a Komsomol newspaper.
• He was a member of his school volleyball team.
• His parents were both from Shamakhi; his father was a physician and World War II veteran, and his mother was a gynecologist.
• Mutallibov was awarded two Orders of the Red Banner of Labour.