Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi: born 26 October 1919
Caption
Born in Tehran on 26 October 1919, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi became Shahanshah of Iran in 1941 and reigned until 1979. On his 48th birthday, 26 October 1967, he was crowned at Golestan Palace, with Empress Farah crowned beside him. A life in six moments, 107 years on.
Photos: coronation portrait, 1967, unknown photographer, National Library of Iran via Wikimedia Commons (public domain). State visit to the Netherlands, 20 May 1959: Harry Pot / Anefo, Nationaal Archief (CC0). Helsinki, June 1970: Markku Lepola, Finnish Heritage Agency (CC BY 4.0). With President and Mrs Carter, Washington, 15 Nov 1977: White House Photographic Office / National Archives (public domain). With President Nixon, Washington, 21 Oct 1969: Robert Knudsen, White House Photo Office / National Archives (public domain).
Short takes
Six moments: 1919 born in Tehran, with a twin sister, Ashraf. 1941 takes the throne at 21. 1959 marries Farah Diba. 1963 launches the White Revolution: land reform, votes for women, the Literacy Corps. 1967 coronation. 1971 the 2,500-year celebrations at Persepolis.
The coronation was set for his birthday: 26 October 1967, Golestan Palace. Farah became the first consort crowned in Iran's modern monarchy. Sources: Steele, IJMES 53(2), 2021; Afkhami, The Life and Times of the Shah, 2009.
Image description
Infographic on Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, born 26 October 1919. A gold crown and the lion and sun emblem sit beside his name. On the right, a full-height photo from the 1967 coronation shows the Shah in his crown and embroidered robe beside Empress Farah, also crowned. A small map of Iran marks Tehran. A timeline lists six moments: 1919 born in Tehran; 1941 becomes Shah; 1959 marries Farah Diba; 1963 the White Revolution; 1967 coronation; 1971 the 2,500-year celebrations. Four photos show him in uniform on the 1959 Netherlands state visit, in profile in Helsinki in 1970, with the Carters in Washington in 1977 and with President Nixon in 1969. A bar reads 107 years: born 26 October 1919, crowned on his 48th birthday.
