Rajavi became a symbolic figurehead, with members encouraged to view her as a model of devotion to the cause. These practices have been criticized by former members and human rights organizations as cult-like and abusive. Maryam Rajavi has one child from her first marriage. Following her marriage to Massoud Rajavi, she became a central figure in the MEK’s leadership. The couple’s leadership was marked by a high degree of control over members’ personal lives, including their relationships and family structures.
After Massoud Rajavi’s disappearance in 2003, Maryam Rajavi continued to lead the MEK and the National Council of Resistance (NCRI), maintaining a significant role in opposition politics. Maryam Rajavi’s legacy is contentious. Supporters view her as a steadfast advocate for a democratic and secular, while critics accuse her of leading a totalitarian organization that suppresses dissent and controls its members through coercive means. The MEK’s involvement in various military operations and its controversial tactics have led to debates about its role in politics and its legitimacy as a political movement.
