QUEEN
FARAH PAHLAVI
In her 20-year tenure as Empress of Iran, Her Imperial Majesty Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi was patron to 12 artistic institutions and presided over 26 educational, health, sports, and cultural organizations, including non-governmental entities.
WEDDING
In a Royal Wedding that took place in Tehran on the 21st of December 1959, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, The Shah of Iran, married Farah Diba. She was born in Tehran on 14th October 1938 as the first and only child of Captain Sohrab Diba and Mrs. Farideh Ghotbi.
Queen Farah was crowned Shahbanou or Empress at the Coronation on 26th October 1967.
THE ROYAL FAMILIY
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, was born on October 31, 1960. The Shah announced the news to his beaming wife at her bedside. The royal couple went on to have three more children: Farahnaz (March 12, 1963), Alireza (April 28, 1966 -January 4, 2011), and Leila (March 27, 1970 – June 10, 2001).
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi (born October 31, 1960)
Princess Farahnaz Pahlavi (born March 12, 1963)
Prince Alireza Pahlavi (April 28, 1966 – January 4, 2011)
Princess Leila Pahlavi (March 27, 1970 – June 10, 2001)
CORONATION
The Imperial Coronation of Iran took place on, 26th October 1967. The ceremony was held in the magnificent Grand Hall of the Golestan Palace in Tehran.
The Coronation Ceremony of Mohamed Reza Shah Pahlavi and Queen Farah Pahlavi was undoubtedly one of the most fantastic events of Persian long royal history, watched all over the world with unprecedented curiosity, for the country usually away from the scenes of royal glitter.
THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
FOUNDED BY CYRUS THE GREAT
The 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire consisted of an elaborate set of festivities that took place on 12–16 October 1971 on the occasion of the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Iranian monarchy (Persian Empire) by Cyrus the Great.
The intent of the celebration was to demonstrate Iran’s long history and to showcase its contemporary advancements under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran.
REZA PAHLAVI
For over forty years, Prince Reza Pahlavi has been a leader and advocate of the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights for his countrymen. He maintains constant contact with his compatriots both inside and outside the country. Prince Reza Pahlavi travels the world meeting with heads of state, legislators, policy-makers, interest groups, and student groups speaking about the plight of Iranians under the Islamic regime in Iran.
YASMINE PAHLAVI
In 1986, Yasmine Etemad-Amini met and married Prince Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince to the throne of Iran. The couple and their three daughters Princesses Noor, Princess Iman, and Princess Farah live in the United States. Joining a royal family did not change Princess Yasmine’s personal goals. She completed her B.A. in political science as well as a law degree both from George Washington University while caring for her young family. Princess Yasmine has been a familiar face at demonstrations in standing with fellow Iranians in exile showing their solidarity with the Iranian people’s desires for freedom and democracy.
Princess Noor Pahlavi April 3, 1992
Princess Iman Pahlavi September 12, 1993
Princess Farah Pahlavi II January 17, 2004
Life Beyond the Peacock Throne
Her Imperial Majesty Queen Farah Pahlavi of Iran and her eldest grandchild, Her Highness Princess Noor Pahlavi, reveal their close bond as they look to the future in their first-ever joint interview.
“For the first time, Queen Farah welcomes us along with her four grandchildren,” the magazine wrote in a lengthy interview with the Empress.
Princess Noor Pahlavi April 3, 1992
Princess Iman Pahlavi September 12, 1993
Princess Farah Pahlavi II January 17, 2004
Princess Iryana Leila Pahlavi July 26, 2011
Memoirs of an Empress
“Beautifully written, intelligent, and insightful, the memoirs of Farah Diba Pahlavi open a window on the life of one of the great women of our time and offer a unique perspective on the extraordinary country over which she and her husband reigned before darkness fell.” ―Bob Colacello, founding editor Interview magazine
At the time I wrote my memoir, I had no idea what was to come.
NEWS & EVENTS
INTERVIEWS
In Memoriam
PUBLICATION
The Center for Middle Eastern Studies
Presents
Memoirs of an Empress
“Beautifully written, intelligent, and insightful, the memoirs of Farah Diba Pahlavi open a window on the life of one of the great women of our time and offer a unique perspective on the extraordinary country over which she and her husband reigned before darkness fell.” ―Bob Colacello, founding editor Interview magazine
At the time I wrote my memoir, I had no idea what was to come.