Zaha Hadid
Born in Baghdad to an upper class family, Hadid studied mathematics in Beirut and went on to study architecture in London. Hadid is known for her innovative architectural designs that seem to defy gravity. For this reason she is frequently referred to as “the 89 degree Architect” and “the queen of the curve”. Hadid’s career broke more than the law of gravity as she became the first muslim and the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture prize.
Many barriers were broken as a result of her diligent and daring work. “As a woman, I'm expected to want everything to be nice and to be nice myself. A very English thing. I don't design nice buildings - I don't like them. I like architecture to have some raw, vital, earthy quality.” Upon hearing of her death, her design studio in London released a statement indicating that Hadid was widely regarded as the greatest female architect in the world today.
