Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid wins prestigious British architect's award

Zaha Hadid, born in Baghdad in 1950, created her own architecture practice in London in 1979. She has won many awards including the Pritzker, which is considered the equivalent of a Nobel prize for architecture. Photos: AFP

Dame Zaha Hadid was awarded the 2016 Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on Sept 24, becoming the first woman to claim the honour.

Hadid, born in Baghdad, created her own architecture practice in London in 1979 and, in 2004, became the first female recipient of the Pritzker, considered the equivalent of the Nobel prize for architecture.