Early Life
Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (Taghioff) was born into the poor family of a shoemaker Taghi and his wife Anakhanim in the old part of Baku. After his mother's death and his father's second marriage, he started learning masonry to help provide for his family of seven(sisters).His dedication to work ensured quick professional advancement and at 18, he was already a contractor. By mid 1873 along with two companions, Sarkis brothers, he purchased land near the oil-booming town of Bibi-Heybat, a few kilometres to the southeast of Baku. The intention was to discover oil, however all their attempts were in vain. After a while, Taghiyev's companions sold their share to him and returned to Baku. It was not long until oil gushed forth from one of the wells in 1877 leading to Taghiyev's instantly becoming one of the richest men in the Russian Empire.
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