Iranian-born American diplomat, banker, and philanthropist (1961–2022)
Azita Raji
United States Ambassador to Sweden
In office March 8, 2016 – January 20, 2017
President
Barack Obama
Preceded by
Mark Brzezinski
Succeeded by
Ken Howery
Personal details
Born
(1961-09-29)September 29, 1961 Tehran, Iran
Died
February 6, 2022(2022-02-06) (aged 60) Belvedere, California, U.S.
Spouse
Gary Syman
Children
5
Alma mater
Barnard College (BA) Columbia University (MBA)
Azita Raji (Persian: آزیتا راجی, September 29, 1961 – February 6, 2022) was an Iranian-born American diplomat, banker, and philanthropist. She was nominated by President Barack Obama in October 2014[1] to serve as the United States ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden,[2] and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate in February 2016.[3][4][5] She presented her credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf on March 15, 2016,[6][7] and completed her tour of duty on January 20, 2017.[8][9]
Ambassador Raji was nominated for the State Department's highest award for a non-career ambassador, the Sue M. Cobb Prize for Exemplary Diplomatic Service. She was the first female United States ambassador to Sweden, as well as the first Iranian-born American to serve as an ambassador of the United States.[10]
^"Report for the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate" (PDF). The White House. February 2015.
^"President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov. October 23, 2014 – via National Archives.
^"America's Empty Embassies". The New York Times. December 29, 2015.
^"For Norway, an Envoy; For Cruz, a Street Name". The New York Times. February 12, 2016.
^"Kerry Finally Fills Top Positions at State". ForeignPolicy.com. February 17, 2016.
^"Ambassador to Sweden presents her credentials". U.S. Embassy in Sweden. March 22, 2016.
^"Formal audiences at the Royal Palace of Stockholm". U.S. Embassy in Sweden. March 15, 2016.
^"The King holds a farewell audience with the USA's ambassador". U.S. Embassy in Sweden. January 16, 2017. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
^"DN Debatt. "Inclusion, freedom, and democracy are non-negotiable values"". DN.debatt. February 5, 2017.
^"US to get first female ambassador in Sweden". The Local SE. October 24, 2014.
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