Hejbar Yazdani: The Untold Story of Iran’s Pre-Revolution Business Magnate, Known as “Mr. 13”

The End of “Mr. 13”

Hejbar Yazdani’s final years were spent quietly in Costa Rica, far from the limelight and influence he once wielded in Iran. He died on April 17, 2010, at his personal farm in Costa Rica. According to his eldest son Nader, Yazdani had expressed a desire to be buried in his hometown of Sangsar. However, Iranian authorities did not permit the transfer of his body, leaving his final resting place in Costa Rica.

Legacy and Influence

Hejbar Yazdani’s life is one of both immense success and controversy. His rise to wealth and power during the Pahlavi era was fueled by a combination of shrewd business moves, corruption, and strong connections with influential figures in Iran’s political and financial circles. Known as “Mr. 13” due to his birth date, birth certificate number, and frequent use of the number in lottery draws, Yazdani’s life was marked by luck, ambition, and moral ambiguity.

Despite his later fall from grace and the financial ruin he experienced in Costa Rica, Yazdani’s legacy remains significant, especially as a symbol of pre-revolution corruption and wealth in Iran. His story is a reminder of the complex interplay between business, politics, and personal ambition during a tumultuous period in Iranian history. Though his wealth and influence eventually dissipated, Hejbar Yazdani’s name continues to evoke both admiration and controversy, making him a compelling figure in the annals of Iran’s modern history.