Early Years and Family History: Simin Behbahani, born as Simin Khalili, was raised in a literary family. Her father, Abbas Khalili, was a poet and editor, and her mother, Fakhr Ozma Arghun, was a writer and women’s rights activist. This rich literary environment greatly influenced Behbahani from a young age, fostering her love for poetry and writing.
Hardships and Early Career: Her first collection of poems, “Setar-e Shekasteh” (The Broken Lute), was published in 1951, which marked the beginning of her professional career. However, the path to recognition was fraught with difficulties, as she often had to navigate the oppressive regimes that sought to silence dissenting voices.
Rise to Stardom and Successes: Behbahani’s poetry gained popularity for its innovative use of the traditional Persian poetic form, the ghazal, which she modernized to address contemporary social and political issues. Her work resonated with many Iranians, earning her the nickname “Lioness of Iran.”
Her collections such as “Mard-e Abri” (The Man of Mist, 1957), “Ra’na” (1967), and “Tohfe-ye Shab Chareh” (The Gift of the Night, 1973) showcased her evolving style and thematic depth, covering topics from love and beauty to social justice and human rights.
Despite the harsh political environment, Behbahani continued to write and publish. Her courage and commitment to speaking out against injustice earned her numerous accolades, including multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature. She received the Human Rights Watch Hellman-Hammett Grant in 1998 and the Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women’s Freedom in 2009.
Later Years and Legacy: In her later years, Simin Behbahani became an icon of resistance and freedom of expression in Iran. Her works have been translated into several languages, allowing her message to reach a global audience. Behbahani’s poetry not only influenced literary circles but also inspired social and political movements within and beyond Iran.
Behbahani continued to write and speak out against oppression until her death on August 19, 2014. Her legacy as a poet and activist lives on, with her works continuing to inspire new generations of writers and activists around the world.
Real Name: Simin Khalili
Date of Birth: July 20, 1927
Birth Place: Tehran, Iran
Residence: Tehran, Iran
Profession: Poet, Author, and Activist
Nationality: Iranian
Religion: Islam
Partner: Hasan Behbahani (first husband), Manuchehr Khosrowshahi (second husband)
Father: Abbas Khalili
Mother: Fakhr Ozma Arghun
Horoscope: Cancer
Age: Passed away on August 19, 2014, at the age of 87