Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid studied mathematics at The American University of Beirut until 1972 when she moved to London to study Architecture. As a woman and an Iraqi-British citizen of Muslim heritage she broke many barriers. In the 1988 exhibition “Deconstructivism in Architecture” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, her conceptual works gave the world an opportunity to witness her unique voice and helped to launch her as an international figure in the field.

Among her many firsts, she was the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2004, the London Design Museum’s Designer of the Year in 2014, and the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal in 2016.  She was also named a Dame to honor her achievements in architecture.  

Born 1950, Iraq; Died 2016, USA