“I miss aspects of being in the Arab world - the language - and there is a tranquility in these cities with great rivers. Whether it's Cairo or Baghdad, you sit there and you think, 'This river has flown here for thousands of years.' There are magical moments in these places.”

Iraqi and British architect, artist, and designer

Dame Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi and British architect, artist, and designer. Born in Baghdad in 1950, she became a leading figure in late 20th and early 21st century architecture. She studied mathematics before entering the Architectural Association School of Architecture in 1972. Her work was shaped by Suprematism and the Russian avant-garde, and she used painting as a design tool in place of conventional architectural drawing. Across her career, she was known for an abstract approach that sought new possibilities for modern architecture.