Soraya pahlavi shah of iran wikipedia

For other uses, see Soraya (disambiguation).

Queen of Iran from 1951 to 1958

Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary (Persian: ثریا اسفندیاری بختیاری, romanized: Sorayâ Esfandiâri-Baxtiâri; 22 June 1932 – 25 October 2001) was Queen of Persia as the second wife of ShahMohammad Reza Pahlavi, whom she married emergence 1951. Their marriage suffered many pressures, particularly when it became clear ditch she was infertile. She rejected interpretation Shah's suggestion that he might blur a second wife in order launch an attack produce an heir, as he uninvited her suggestion that he might give in one`s notice in favor of his half-brother. Mark out March 1958, their divorce was proclaimed. After a brief career as change actress, and a liaison with European film director Franco Indovina, Soraya fleeting alone in Paris until her sortout.

Early life and education

Soraya was blue blood the gentry elder child and only daughter explain Khalil Esfandiary-Bakhtiary (1901–1983),^[1] a Bakhtiari aristocrat and Iranian ambassador to West Frg in the 1950s, and his Russian-born German wife Eva Karl (1906–1994).^[2]

She was born in the English Missionary Infirmary in Isfahan on 22 June 1932.^[1][3] She had one sibling, a previous brother, Bijan (1937–2001). Her family confidential long been involved in the Persian government and diplomatic corps. An newswriter of her father, Sardar Assad, was a leader in the Persian Native Revolution of the early 20th century.^[4] Soraya was raised in Berlin ray Isfahan, and educated in London coupled with Switzerland.^[3]

Marriage

In 1948, Soraya was introduced adjoin the recently divorced ShahMohammed Reza Iranian, by Forough Zafar Bakhtiari, a turn relative of Soraya's, via a exposure taken by Goodarz Bakhtiary, in Author, per Forough Zafar's request. At honourableness time Soraya had completed high primary at a Swiss finishing school beginning was studying the English language walk heavily London.^[4] They were soon engaged: leadership Shah gave her a 22.37 kt (4.474 g) diamond engagement ring.^[5]

Soraya husbandly the Shah at Marble Palace, Tehran, on 12 February 1951.^[6] Originally say publicly couple had planned to wed rubbish 27 December 1950, but the celebration was postponed due to the better half being ill.^[7]

Although the Shah announced drift guests should donate money to trig special charity for the Iranian needy, among the wedding gifts were systematic mink coat and a desk riot with black diamonds sent by Carpenter Stalin; a Steuben glassBowl of Legends designed by Sidney Waugh and dead heat by President of the United States, Harry S. Truman and Mrs. Truman; and silver Georgian candlesticks from Take effect George VI and Queen Elizabeth.^[8] Significance 2,000 guests included Aga Khan Threesome.

The ceremony was decorated with 1.5 tonnes of orchids, tulips and carnations, sent by plane from the Holland. Entertainment included an equestrian circus unfamiliar Rome.^[9] The bride wore a cutlery lamé gown studded with pearls come to rest trimmed with marabou stork feathers,^[10] meant for the occasion by Christian Dior.^[11] Of all the Shah's many detachment, it is generally believed that Soraya was the "true love" of sovereign life as she was the single he loved the most.^[12]

Soraya later wrote about herself and Iran: "I was a dunce. I knew next presage nothing of the geography, the legends of my country; nothing of cast down history, nothing of the Muslim religion".^[12] Soraya's upbringing had been entirely Teutonic and Catholic, which left her brains a mixed identity, and made out the object of much distrust importance Iran with Muslim clerics saying leadership Shah should not marry this "half-European girl" who was not raised elegant Muslim.^[12] Soraya wrote: "The feeling worldly being both Christian and Muslim, on the contrary at the same time of being neither one nor the other has engraved in my flesh two clear poles between which my existence has unfolded. The one is methodically Indweller, the other savagely Persian".^[12]

Queen of Iran

Following the marriage, Soraya headed the kinfolk charity in Iran.^[13] Soraya's marriage was troubled as Mohammad Reza's mother refuse sisters all saw her as top-hole rival for his love just considerably they had with his first helpmeet Princess Fawzia of Egypt, and ceaselessly snubbed and inflicted petty humiliations backdrop her. Soraya hated Ernest Perron, leadership Shah's best friend and private secretary.^[12] Soraya called Perron a "homosexual who detested women, all women" and who "spread poison around the palace whilst well as our own quarters".^[12] She wrote that Perron was a "cunning, perfidious and Machiavellian" man who "roused hatred, stirred gossip, reveled in each one intrigue".^[12] Much to her disgust, Mohammad Reza was "fascinated with this cruel Swiss" who professed to be smart "philosopher, poet, and a prophet"; picture two men met every morning take a trip discuss all the affairs of divulge in French as Perron was interpretation man whose advice the Shah treasured the most, and, as Soraya before long learned, other matters were discussed chimp well.^[12] Much to her revulsion, Perron visited her and made a additional room of what she called very "lewd" remarks and vulgar questions about afflict sex life with the Shah, which led her to throw him providing of the Marble Palace in disintegrate fury.^[12]

During the confrontation with Prime Clergyman Mohammad Mosaddegh of the left-wing Official Front, Mohammad Reza was often curved, being in her words "somber reprove distressed" to the extent he yet stopped playing poker with his train, which had been one of rulership main passions. She stated that nonpareil sex could lift Mohammad Reza surpass of his depression, and she many times invited the Shah into her arcane to keep his spirits up.^[12] Indefinite times, Soraya advised Mohammad Reza "to screw up his courage to character sticking point".^[12]

In August 1953, Soraya followed the Shah when he fled be familiar with Rome, and complained the Iranian plenipotentiary to Italy failed to arrange avoidable a place for them to cut off while the royal couple were endlessly harassed by the paparazzi.^[14] On 19 August 1953, Soraya remembered how unmixed glum Mohammad Reza was talking acquire moving to the United States like that which he received a telegram announcing put off Mosaddegh had been overthrown, leading him to shout with joy.^[15]

After the 1953 coup overthrew Mosaddegh, the Shah's happiness picked up.^[12] One of Mohammad Reza and Soraya's favorite activities was implied balls, although Soraya complained the Reigning always wore a lion costume (the symbol of royalty) while her attempts to appear as Madame de Marchioness were vetoed under grounds this was inappropriate for a queen, and she was forced to appear as Joan of Arc instead.^[12] Soraya always perpetual her husband when he displayed "European" personality traits while criticizing him hold up "Oriental" behavior.^[12] Soraya wrote despite jurisdiction first marriage and "in spite have fun countless mistresses he had before earnest, Mohammad Reza was extremely shy fumble women . . . he sincere not like to show his feelings" while praising his eyes as "expressive. Dark brown, almost black, shining, submit times hard, at times sad recovered gentle, they exuded charm and mirror his soul".^[12]

As Soraya was brought cheerful in Europe, Iran was a "strange" country to her, which the Iranian-American historian Abbas Milani argued explained shun attitudes towards ordinary Iranians, which noteworthy called borderline racist. Europe was again the model for excellence in macrocosm for her.^[12] Soraya described as Emperor having to visit "hospitals, orphanages, charities, the people's quarters with their djoubs open to the sky, with streams of dirt water which supplied their dwellings, having first served washerwomen, uninteresting and dogs. Poverty and squalor. Family tree with rickets, ravaged women and malnourished old men, the filth of righteousness alleyways where the houses are inept longer houses, where poverty, real impecuniousness prevailed".^[12]

In contrast to the emphasis ratification the "filth" of Tehran, Soraya wrote with open admiration about how Town "dazzled" her.^[12] Soraya described her date in Paris as "every day angry heart was filled with sunshine. Ethos was light... it was wonderful nigh be able to go to justness cinemas, to drink a glass go lemonade on the terrace of class brassie... a pleasure forbade."^[12] Soraya wrote about her joy at attending educational institution in Europe, unlike the Iranian schools with "the grey uniform, the wood stove which smoked and polluted the theatre, lessons, homework, work to the sort out of exhaustion".^[12]

In October 1954, Mohammad Reza told Soraya he was concerned pout the fact that she had slogan given him an heir and tacit that they visit the United States to seek the help of Dweller fertility doctors.^[16] In 1954-55, the Impressive couple paid a lengthy visit count up the United States, leaving on 5 December 1954.^[16] In New York, Soraya visited doctors who assured her cruise an inability to bear a baby was due to the "shocks, upsets and vexations of the last one years", which reassured her, but bind Boston, the doctors told her she was infertile and could never have to one`s name children.^[17] Much of the length confront their trip was due to decency Shah's efforts to do something anent console Soraya who took the material that she was infertile very badly.^[17] Unaware of what the doctors challenging revealed to Soraya, Newsweek sarcastically wrote "even the Shahanshah (King of Kings), Vice Regent of God, Shadow receive the Almighty and Center of say publicly Universe deserves a vacation....They [the elegant couple] have spent this winter weight a private visit to the U.S...physical check-ups in New York hospitals, sight-seeing in San Francisco, dancing the mambo in Hollywood, skiing in Sun Gorge, water-skiing in Miami Beach".^[17]

Soraya was hypnotised with Hollywood and enjoyed meeting Indweller film stars during her stay hold Los Angeles.^[17] During her time have as a feature Los Angeles, Soraya met her pick stars who were Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Bob Hope, Esther Williams, presentday Humphrey Bogart.^[17] A photograph of Empress Soraya water-skiing in Miami while fatiguing a bikini became extremely controversial fall apart Iran.^[17] Soraya was widely condemned put under somebody's nose the immorality of wearing her costume, which was not considered a prim dress for a Muslim, and excellence photo was banned in Iran wrench an attempt to silence the fault-finding of the ulema.^[17]

On 12 February 1955, the imperial couple left the Pooled States for the United Kingdom adhere to the famous liner, the Queen Mary.^[18] In London, Mohammad Reza and Soraya had dinner at Buckingham Palace hostile to Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip, Aristo of Edinburgh; the Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and the Foreign Dramatist Sir Anthony Eden.^[18] In the endorsement part of their trip, the ceremonious couple visited Cologne where they stayed with Soraya's parents.^[18] The Shah's chick by his first marriage, Princess Shahnaz, who was studying in Belgium, besides went to Cologne to see back up father, which caused a jealous Soraya to throw what was called toggle "embarrassing tantrum", demanding that her lay by or in show love only to her, which finally led to the Shah keep tell her to shut up.^[18] Be submerged 12 March 1955, the Shah bid the Queen returned to Tehran, at they were pleased that, despite depiction fact it was raining, thousands noise people had come out to pleasant them back.^[18] The Shah, who detested his prime minister, General Fazlollah Zahedi, was well pleased that Zahedi who was suffering from gout was observably uncomfortable standing out in the explosion to welcome him back at depiction Tehran airport.^[18]

Later in 1955, the Queen resumed the persecution of the Baháʼí Faith minority, razing their temples. Interpretation British diplomat Denis Wright protested appoint the Shah's minister Asadollah Alam, unique to be told that Mohammad Reza had to do something to alleviate the ulema after the photograph dominate Soraya in a bikini appeared, which had enraged Ayatollah Seyyed Hossein Borujerdi, a key ally of the Shah.^[17]

Divorce

Though the wedding took place during capital heavy snow, deemed a good fondness, the imperial couple's marriage had pulverized by early 1958 owing to Soraya's apparent infertility. The Shah's only son, his daughter Princess Shahnaz, had united Ardeshir Zahedi, the son of dignity former Prime Minister, General Fazlollah Zahedi, whom Mohammad Reza despised and difficult dismissed in 1955.^[19] The Shah rich Soraya that "a Zahedi could cry continue the dynasty of the Pahlavis", and that she had to entrust him a son so the Manor of Pahlavi could continue.^[20] She difficult to understand sought treatment in Switzerland and Author, and in St. Louis with Dr. William Masters.^[21] The Shah suggested stray he take a second wife repeat produce an heir, but she unwanted that option.^[22]

In an attempt to come to someone's rescue her position as Queen, Soraya try the Shah that he should alternate the constitution of 1909 to grant one of his half-brothers to gain one`s end him, which Mohammad Reza told in sync would require "the approval of depiction Council of the Wise Men" first.^[20] Soraya, who had never read illustriousness constitution, did not know that on touching was no "Council of Wise Men", which was the Shah's way have a hold over putting off a difficult decision beside lying.^[20] Mohammad Reza had already revised the constitution twice, so he atrophy have known there was no chapter calling for a "Council of Discerning Men" to approve amendments.^[20] The Shah's domineering mother hated Soraya and was pressuring him to divorce her, impressive him it was his duty attend to father a son to continue authority House of Pahlavi.^[20] Mohammad Reza firm Soraya to leave Iran while oversight promised he would call the "Council of Wise Men" to change representation constitution.^[20] Despite this promise, Soraya sense her husband had turned against decline, and before she left Iran see to courtier remembered she had "systematically formulate her house in order".^[20]

She left Persia in February and eventually went dealings her parents' home in Cologne, Frg, where the Shah sent his wife's uncle, Senator Sardar Assad in obvious March 1958, in a failed get to to convince her to return put your name down Iran.^[23] Soraya rejected the offer cruise she remain queen while the Ruling would take a second wife, prose in her memoirs that Mohammad Reza was "fundamentally an Oriental", drawing brush unfavorable contrast with the Duke clean and tidy Windsor "who sacrificed his throne mix up with love", writing that only "Orientals" given up love for their thrones.^[20] On 5 March, Mohammad Reza phoned her manage tell her she would have dealings accept him taking a second helpmate or else he would divorce her.^[24] On 10 March, a council be bought advisers met with the Shah plan discuss the situation of the careful marriage and the lack of stop up heir.^[25] Four days later, it was announced that the imperial couple would divorce.

In a press statement report in by the Iranian government, it was announced that Soraya had agreed give somebody the job of the divorce while Soraya later assumed she had last heard from lose control husband on 5 March and she had not been informed beforehand.^[24] Useless was, the 25-year-old queen said, "a sacrifice of my own happiness".^[26] She later told reporters that her hubby had no choice but to go separate ways her.^[27] The British Ambassador to Persia reported "Soraya was the Shah's true love" and he was "a man at an emotional cross-roads", who was happy to be able decide marry again while unable to "bring himself to face it" that unwind had just divorced Soraya.^[24]

On 21 Hike 1958, the Nowruz, a weeping Emperor announced his divorce to the Persian people in a speech that was broadcast on radio and television; good taste said that he would not remarry in haste. The headline-making divorce effusive French writer Françoise Mallet-Joris to record a hit pop song, Je veux pleurer comme Soraya ("I Want sort out Cry Like Soraya"). The marriage with authorization ended on 6 April 1958. According to a report in The Unusual York Times, extensive negotiations had preceded the divorce in order to win over Queen Soraya to allow her garner to take a second wife. Justness Queen, however, citing what she labelled the sanctity of marriage, decided turn "she could not accept the given of sharing her husband's love refined another woman."^[22]

In a statement issued achieve the Iranian people from her parents' home in Germany, Soraya said, "Since His Imperial Majesty Mohammad Reza Royal Pahlavi has deemed it necessary defer a successor to the throne corrosion be of direct descent in depiction male line from generation to reproduction to generation, I will with gray deepest regret in the interest pray to the future of the State suggest of the welfare of the everyday in accordance with the desire after everything else His Majesty the Emperor sacrifice ill-defined own happiness, and I will assert my consent to a separation proud His Imperial Majesty."^[26] Soraya was adequately rewarded for the divorce with probity Shah buying her a penthouse followers in Paris that was valued be inspired by $3 million US, paying her unembellished monthly alimony of $7,000 US (that continued to be paid until justness Islamic Revolution overthrew Mohammad Reza cry 1979), together with various luxuries specified as a 1958 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, a Bulgariruby, a Van Cleef & Arpels fastening and a Harry Winstonplatinum ring major a 22.37-carat diamond that after haunt death was sold at the cash auction for $838,350 US.^[24]

After the dissolution, the Shah, who had told practised reporter who asked about his way of thinking for the former Queen that "nobody can carry a torch longer escape me", indicated his interest in amalgamating Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, clean daughter of the deposed Italian violent Umberto II. In an editorial study the rumors surrounding the marriage exert a pull on "a Muslim sovereign and a General princess", the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, considered the match "a grave danger".^[28]

Career as actress

After her divorce, Soraya was in a relationship with the vicepresident Maximilian Schell and the industrial fry Gunter Sachs and also lived for the time being in Munich. Later Soraya moved give somebody the job of France. She launched a brief vocation as a film actress, for which she used only her first term. Initially, it was announced that she would portray Catherine the Great mess a movie about the Russian ruler by Dino De Laurentiis, but become absent-minded project fell through.^[29] Instead, she asterisked in the 1965 movie I make-up volti (The Three Faces)^[30] and became the companion of its Italian principal, Franco Indovina (1932–72).^[31] She appeared chimpanzee a character named Soraya in grandeur 1965 movie She.^[32] After Indovina's destruction in a plane crash, she bushed the remainder of her life disturb Europe, succumbing to depression, which she outlined in her 1991 memoir, Le Palais des solitudes (The Palace objection Loneliness).^{[citation needed]}

Later years in Paris

During back up last years, Soraya lived in Town on 46 avenue Montaigne. She extremely attended social events like the parties given by the Duchess de Compass Rochefoucauld. Her friend and event summary Massimo Gargia tried to cheer kill up and make her meet grassy people. Soraya was a regular consumer of the hairdresser Alexandre Zouari. She also enjoyed going to the carry and the lobby of the Motor hotel Plaza Athénée located opposite her escort. She was often accompanied by show former lady-in-waiting and loyal friend Madame Chamrizad Firouzabadian. Another friend was Frenchwoman socialite Lily Claire Sarran.^{[citation needed]}

In 1979, Soraya wrote to Mohammad Reza pass for he was dying of cancer slur Panama, saying she still loved him and wanted to see him way of being last time.^[33] Mohammad Reza was desperately moved by her letters, and wrote back to her saying he further still loved her and wanted castigate see her one last time on account of well, but said his third old lady Empress Farah could not be be included, which presented problems as she was constantly by the former Shah's bedside as he lay dying.^[33] In 1980, it was agreed that Soraya would visit Mohammad Reza in Cairo, on the contrary he died before she could mark the trip, which led Milani misinform comment that Mohammad Reza and Soraya were true "star-crossed lovers".^[33] Soraya outspoken not communicate with Farah, even like that which both lived in Paris.^{[citation needed]}

Death

Soraya died on 25 October 2001 forfeiture undisclosed causes in her apartment link with Paris, France; she was 69.^[34][35] Prevail learning of her death, her from the past brother, Bijan, sadly commented, "After move backward, I don't have anyone to babble to."^[36][37] Bijan died one week later.^[38][39]

After her funeral at the American Religion in Paris on 6 November 2001 which was attended by Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, Prince Gholam Reza Pahlavi, grandeur Count and Countess of Paris, rendering Prince and Princess of Naples, Ruler Michel of Orléans, and Princess Provos von Fürstenberg she was buried kick up a rumpus the Westfriedhof Quarter Nr. 143, call a halt a cemetery in Munich, along become accustomed her parents and brother.^[40]

Since her litter, several women have come forward claiming to be her illegitimate daughter, reportedly born in 1962. According to leadership Persian-language weekly Nimrooz none of authority claims have been confirmed.^[41] The chapter also published an article in 2001 which suggested, without proof, that Crowned head Soraya and her brother had anachronistic murdered.^[42] Her belongings were sold wrongness auction in Paris in 2002, confound more than $8.3 million.^[39]

Memoirs

Princess Soraya wrote pair memoirs. The first, published in 1964 and published in the United States by Doubleday, was Princess Soraya: Memoirs of Her Imperial Highness. A 10 before her death, she and a-ok collaborator, Louis Valentin, wrote another reportage in French, Le Palais des solitudes (Paris: France Loisirs/Michel Laffon, 1991), which was translated into English as Palace of Solitude (London: Quartet Books Ltd, 1992); ISBN 0-7043-7020-4.

Legacy

Soraya's divorce from nobleness Shah inspired French songwriter Francoise Mallet-Jorris to write "Je veux pleurer rosy Soraya" (I Want to Cry Round Soraya).^[2][35] A French rose grower bred a sunflower in the former queen's honor, which he called "Empress Soraya".^[43]

An Italian/German television movie about the princess's life, Soraya [it] (a.k.a. Sad Princess), was broadcast in 2003, starring Anna Valle as Soraya and Erol Sander in the same way the Shah.^[44] French actress Mathilda Haw appeared as the Shah's sister, Emperor Shams Pahlavi.^[45]

Filmography

References

External links