A child growing up in Iran dreamed of being a writer, captivated by stories rather than equations. Mathematics entered her life gradually, sparked by a love of puzzles and the thrill of discovering elegant solutions. This curiosity carried her far. Maryam Mirzakhani touched the milestone by winning the Fields Medal, mathematics’ highest honour, as the first woman in the world in 2014.
Mirzakhani was born in 1977 in Tehran, Iran. Her early aspiration of being a writer gave way to a different passion: mathematics. As a junior in high school, she was one of the initial Iranian women to compete in the International Mathematical Olympiads, where she earned two gold medals.
It was her brother who initially sparked her curiosity in science. He used to return from school and discuss what he had studied. He shared with her the tale of the German mathematician, Carl Friedrich Gauss, who showcased his remarkable talents as a young student when he calculated in mere seconds the total of all the numbers from 1 to 100. All these inspired Mirzakhani to cultivate her passion for mathematics.
Today, she serves as a worldwide symbol for women in science. For her, mathematics emphasised persistence, creativity, and valuing the journey rather than speed or competition. Recognised as one of the most exceptional mathematicians of her time, numerous mathematics awards bear her name, such as the Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize and the Maryam Mirzakhani Prize in Mathematics. Her birthday is honoured by the May 12 initiative, which unites events that celebrate women in mathematics.
The world lost her far too soon. Maryam Mirzakhani passed away in 2017 due to breast cancer when she was 40 years old. Her journey serves as a strong reminder that creativity, perseverance, and ingenuity are crucial for discovery. Mirzakhani’s influence keeps going, encouraging upcoming generations to investigate the limitless beauty of mathematics.
