Anousheh Ansari (Entrepreneur/Space Explorer)

On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari captured headlines around the world when she became the first female private space explorer, the fourth private space explorer, and the first astronaut of Iranian descent.

Born in Iran, Ansari immigrated to the United States as a teenager who did not speak English.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University, followed by a master’s degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University.

She has an honorary doctorate from the International Space University, and is currently working toward a master’s degree in astronomy from Swinburne University.