By Raffaello Carabini and Daniele Capezzone
She is often referred to as the last Empress.”Indeed, Farah Diba, the widow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has carried that title with dignity throughout more than four decades of exile. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, she has lived between Paris and Washington, tirelessly defending the memory of her husband and the legacy of a reign that sought to propel Iran into the modern age—an ambition abruptly cut short by Ayatollah Khomeini’s theocracy.
At 83, Farah Diba speaks with a calm but firm conviction: “If the regime falls, I am ready to return to Iran.” Her words are not merely wistful; they resonate as both a personal vow and a political statement, embodying the enduring hope of a woman who has never ceased to dream of going home. “The people want freedom.”
Madam Empress, what is your view of the current situation in Iran?
“Despite the suffering, I remain optimistic. In recent years, we have witnessed extraordinary protests, above all by women and young people. They are the new face of Iran, proof that the people yearn for freedom. The sacrifices of so many young martyrs will not be in vain. The regime is weakened, divided, and increasingly isolated”.
Would you return to your homeland?
“Yes. When the Islamic regime falls, I will go back. My husband brought Iran into modernity; the fundamentalists dragged it backwards. Today, many Iranians wish to see the monarchy restored because they have realized what was lost in 1979.”
The reforms
The Shah’s ambitious reforms liberalized the country: land redistribution, women’s emancipation, and broader access to education and the workplace. It was an era that opened doors to modernization, laying the groundwork for a monarchy that could blend tradition with openness to the West.
The succession
Today, many Iranians see Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the natural heir capable of leading a transition toward a constitutional monarchy.
Nostalgia for the throne
Four decades after the fall of the monarchy, nostalgia for that era is spreading. “It is for the Iranian people to choose their future,” Farah insists, but she recognizes a clear trend: from clerics to merchants, from young protesters to long-time exiles, many have come to appreciate what was destroyed by the Revolution.
Oil, Italy, and ENI
Farah also recalls the farsighted vision of Enrico Mattei, the Italian energy pioneer who challenged the international oil cartels. “Mattei understood everything. He tried to negotiate directly with producing nations like Iran. He lost his life in a suspicious accident, but his vision remains an example for all who refuse to bow to the oil monopolies.”
A wounded culture
Iran’s cultural heritage also paid the price of the Revolution. “Many museums, open and vibrant before 1979, were closed or abandoned. The Islamic regime tried to erase part of our history and identity.”
A challenge to the regime
Social media has become a powerful tool of resistance. “Thanks to the internet, young Iranians can now compare their lives with the rest of the world. That frightens the regime. Repression cannot last forever.”
Memories and hopes
What do you carry in your heart after so many years in exile?
“The immense love of my people, their affection, their trust. I have never forgotten them. My husband’s reforms were courageous. He sought prosperity and freedom for all Iranians, investing in health, education, industry, and the military. The mullahs erased women’s rights and suffocated freedoms, plunging Iran into darkness. But I believe the light will return.”
How do you picture the future of your country?
“Free, democratic, respectful of human rights. A constitutional monarchy, like in other nations, could ensure stability. My dream is to see Iran regain its rightful place in the world.”
And your own future?
“I will continue to fight alongside my son and the Iranian diaspora for the liberation of our homeland. If God grants me the grace to witness the fall of this regime, I will go back.”
