Ayaz Mütallibov was born on May 12, 1938 in Baku to the family of a physician and later World War II veteran, Niyazi Aṣraf oğlu Mütallibov, and gynaecologist Kubra Mütallibova (died in 1988).
In 1956, Ayaz Mütallibov graduated from the secondary school #189 in Baku. During the school years he was fond of jazz music especially of Elvis Presley's and The Beatles. He was the member of the school team on volleyball. In 1962, Mütallibov graduated from the Azerbaijan State Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry. In 1964, Mütallibov became the director of the Baku Refrigerator Factory, and in 1974, he was appointed as the General Director of "BakElectroBytMash" State Industrial Company.
1979 — appointed a Minister of Light Industry of Azerbaijan SSR.
1982 — appointed as the Chairman of the State Planning Committee of Azerbaijan SSR and the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Azerbaijan SSR.
January 1989 — appointed as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Azerbaijan SSR.
December 1990 - at Mütallibov's initiative, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan SSR officially renames the country to Azerbaijan Republic and adopts the Declaration of Sovereignty
March 17, 1991 - under pressure from Mütallibov, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan votes for participation of Azerbaijan in the referendum on the fate of Soviet Union
October 18, 1991 - Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopts the Declaration of Independence of Azerbaijan
September, 1991 — Mütallibov dissolves the Communist Party of Azerbaijan and proposes constitutional changes for direct nationwide elections of president.
September 8, 1991. Mütallibov elected a president in a single-candidate nationwide election.
December, 1991 - In a nationwide referendum, Azerbaijani voters approve the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Supreme Council; Soviet Union is dissolved, Azerbaijan is recognized as independent state by Turkey, Israel, Romania and Pakistan.
February 25, 1992 - Armenian forces with support of Russia's 366th motorized brigade took control of Khojaly; fleeing residents become victims of the Khojaly Massacre.