Celebrated Iranian poet Simin Behbahani has died at the age of 87.<br /><br />Famous for her writings on love and equal rights for women, her verse was said to have encapsulated the challenges of her compatriots since the 1979 revolution.<br /><br />Nicknamed the ‘Lioness of Iran’ for her bravery the face of censorship, she died of heart and respiratory complications after two weeks in hospital, the state news agency announced.<br /><br />She published 19 books of verse over six decades and was nominated for a Nobel Prize in Literature twice. More recently her words were used by President Obama in a sign of rapprochement with Iran after decades of diplomatic hostilities.<br /><br />Many took to Twitter to share their feelings of loss at her death.<br /><br />A true asset lost – Iranian poetess, Simin Behbahani passed away today – https://t.co/BCKfz8HT9S— Ellie Geranmayeh (@EllieGeranmayeh) August 19, 2014<br /><br />My condolences to Iranians everywhere. Rest in peace, our mighty poet #SiminBehbahani— Shappi Khorsandi (@ShappiKhorsandi) August 19, 2014<br /><br />Saddened to hear of death of Simin #Behbahani, the “lioness of Iran”, whose poetry was so loved by many Iranians— UK for Iranians (@UKforIranians) August 19, 2014
