Zaynolabideen Ghorbani: key obituary facts
Is Zaynolabideen Ghorbani dead? Yes. Zaynolabideen Ghorbani died on October 12, 2026, at age 93.
Cause of death: Zaynolabideen Ghorbani's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Zaynolabideen Ghorbani known for?
He was an Iranian Ayatollah (1933-2026).
More about Zaynolabideen Ghorbani
Born: 1 January 1933.
Gender: male.
Education: Qom Hawza.
Also known as: Sheikh Zaynolabideen Ghorbani.
Title: Ayatollah.
Zaynolabideen Ghorbani, an Iranian ayatollah who represented the Supreme Leader of Iran in Gilan Province, died on October 12, 2026, aged 93.
Born on January 8, 1933, in Panchah, Gilan, he grew up in an agricultural family and helped with farm work while attending school. His father, Gholam Hassan, died when Ghorbani was five.
At primary school in his hometown, he learned Persian and the basics of the Quran before travelling to Lahijan for Islamic instruction and Arabic studies. In 1950, he went to Qom to study at the seminary, where he attended classes with Shia scholars. Ghorbani’s religious duties included leading prayers in Lahijan and Rasht, and representing the Supreme Leader in Gilan. He also held elected office: he represented Gilan in the Islamic Consultative Assembly from 1984 to 1988 and in the Assembly of Experts from 1990 to 2024. The latter body’s membership spans decades of his public life, while his parliamentary service came earlier in his career. Ghorbani had 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. His education in Qom and work across religious and political institutions were central parts of his public biography.