Farah Pahlavi is the former Shahbanu (empress) of Iran and the widow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Though born into an affluent family in Tehran, Farah faced difficult times after her father’s death. While studying in Paris, she met Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was on an official visit to the city. They married in 1959, and she gave birth to his heir in 1960. Farah was a patron of the arts and repatriated several precious Iranian artifacts from foreign collectors. She focused her efforts on healthcare, culture, and education in Iran. However, the political revolution in 1979, forced the royal family to flee the country, traveling to places like Egypt, Morocco, and Mexico in search of permanent asylum. After the Shah’s death in 1980, Farah eventually settled in the United States. She has received numerous honors for her work from various countries around the world.
