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My Thousand and One Days: The Autobiography of Farah, Shabanou of Iran
English, French (translation)
- GenresHistoryNonfictionIran
146 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1978
6 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Farah Pahlavi
2 books82 followersFarah Pahlavi, the last queen/empress of Iran, was born on October 14, 1938, the only child of Sohrab Diba (a member of the Pahlavi army) and Farideh Diba Ghotbi (a tailor's apprentice).
With the height of the Iranian public protests in January 1979, Farah fled Iran.
With the height of the Iranian public protests in January 1979, Farah fled Iran.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 15, 2020
Queen of the Right (a bland aria)
Some people may suggest I need to have my head examined, but I bought this short autobiography in Melbourne almost 40 years ago and just now read it. It came out just a year or so before its author fled Iran with her husband, the Shah. I read it as part of an Iran-reading jag. I am not sure if the book was ghost-written or partly ghost-written or written by the former architecture student in Paris who was only 21 when the Shah decided to marry her. His previous wives had not produced sons. The overall effect is rather bland—student days in Tehran and Paris, clothes, vacations—but she (or the ghost writer) hotly defends the Shah and his rule, insisting on the benign nature of the regime, their wish to develop Iran and assume a more important role in the world befitting an ancient nation. If it were she who actually wrote this book, she belittles all opposition, professing not to understand
“....why all these young people take part in it. They do not even have any precise ideas and one is left with the impression that, after a while, they forget why they took that road.” (p.106)
Of course, there was almost nothing to complain about. They obviously were either silly or misled.
Now go read Kapuscinski’s book or Fred Halliday’s “Iran, Dictatorship and Development”. Of course, these two chaps were “terrorist sympathizers” typical of the foreign press who attacked Iran without justification. Yeah, right.
But still, she seemed a person caught by Fate to play a role in a history of oppression that she didn’t deserve. She went along with it. Did she have a choice of husband? She stands up for Iran as an independent nation, she isn’t lacking in patriotism, but she just never knew (victim of one’s own propaganda perhaps?) or never cared about what was going on under the surface of Iranian prosperity and gloire. She writes with a great amount of noblesse oblige, but to be fair, how could she, as queen of the nation, forced to play a part, do anything else?
If you are looking for a book on Iran or Iranian society, this is certainly not it. But if this is really her voice (still a question, mind you) it is an interesting look at a minor figure in world history, a woman who probably had a lot more to give if she hadn’t been trapped in this quite ornamental life in which manners and looks were all, even if she took on many symbolic roles and tried to help her country. However, her lack of insight is startling, just a year or so before a gigantic upheaval overturned everything that she thought she was doing.
Some people may suggest I need to have my head examined, but I bought this short autobiography in Melbourne almost 40 years ago and just now read it. It came out just a year or so before its author fled Iran with her husband, the Shah. I read it as part of an Iran-reading jag. I am not sure if the book was ghost-written or partly ghost-written or written by the former architecture student in Paris who was only 21 when the Shah decided to marry her. His previous wives had not produced sons. The overall effect is rather bland—student days in Tehran and Paris, clothes, vacations—but she (or the ghost writer) hotly defends the Shah and his rule, insisting on the benign nature of the regime, their wish to develop Iran and assume a more important role in the world befitting an ancient nation. If it were she who actually wrote this book, she belittles all opposition, professing not to understand
“....why all these young people take part in it. They do not even have any precise ideas and one is left with the impression that, after a while, they forget why they took that road.” (p.106)
Of course, there was almost nothing to complain about. They obviously were either silly or misled.
Now go read Kapuscinski’s book or Fred Halliday’s “Iran, Dictatorship and Development”. Of course, these two chaps were “terrorist sympathizers” typical of the foreign press who attacked Iran without justification. Yeah, right.
But still, she seemed a person caught by Fate to play a role in a history of oppression that she didn’t deserve. She went along with it. Did she have a choice of husband? She stands up for Iran as an independent nation, she isn’t lacking in patriotism, but she just never knew (victim of one’s own propaganda perhaps?) or never cared about what was going on under the surface of Iranian prosperity and gloire. She writes with a great amount of noblesse oblige, but to be fair, how could she, as queen of the nation, forced to play a part, do anything else?
If you are looking for a book on Iran or Iranian society, this is certainly not it. But if this is really her voice (still a question, mind you) it is an interesting look at a minor figure in world history, a woman who probably had a lot more to give if she hadn’t been trapped in this quite ornamental life in which manners and looks were all, even if she took on many symbolic roles and tried to help her country. However, her lack of insight is startling, just a year or so before a gigantic upheaval overturned everything that she thought she was doing.
June 12, 2022
Book Review: “1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi”
Published @2021 by Vanishing Pictures Press
64 Knightsbridge, London SWIX 7fF, United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781735560601
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter One”
Chapter One
The chapter of the book covers Her Imperial Majesty (HIM), Empress Farah Pahlavi’s childhood all the way she travelled to France to pursue her higher education.
HIM Pahlavi was born in a conservative family in Tehran-Iran. She has family lineage to the prophet Muhammad from her father’s side. She also has family lineage to the prophet Muhammad from her mother’s side. From the patriarch and matriarch sides, the family members pursued their theological studies and became notable members of the religious scholars.
HIM Pahlavi says her father’s family were natives of Iranian- Azerbaijan, and her mother’s family were of Gilak origin, from Lahijan on the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea.
HIM Pahlavi’s father passed away during her early life of HIM Pahlavi. Her mother kept the matter quiet from HIM Pahlavi. HIM Pahlavi engaged Her mother several times to discover where Her father was. However, Her mother could not explain that Her father had passed away.
Education:
HIM Pahlavi attended Tehran’s Italian School. HIM Pahlavi enrolled in the French Jeanne d’Arc School until she was sixteen. HIM Pahlavi also attended the Lycée Razi. HIM Pahlavi graduated from Lycée Razi. HIM Pahlavi applied at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris, to study. HIM Pahlavi invested her time and energy toward architecture.
People Who Influenced Her:
HIM Pahlavi’s grandfather from Her father’s side was an amateur Iranian art collector in Tbilisi who studied in a Russian museum. HIM Pahlavi’s father was a gifted caricaturist, and HIM Pahlavi inherited Her father’s skills in drawing and music.
Association:
HIM Pahlavi pays close attention to Scout, an international organization, because many individuals who participated in Scout became key figures in their communities.
The Climate of Anarchy:
If politics mean managing conflict, my input, the 1950s of Iranian politics was all about managing conflict.
HIM Pahlavi brings to the attention that in the 50s, Iran is moving away from the Reza Shah the Great and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s vision of Greater Iran by building Iran’s infrastructure.
On February 04th, 1949, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi attended an annual ceremony to commemorate the founding of the University of Tehran. Fakhr-Arai fired several times at the King at the ceremony within three metres. Bullets did not cause serious bodily harm to His Imperial Majesty.
In the 1950s, Reza Shah the Great’s body returned to Iran to rest in peace in Iran. It was a sombre occasion for many patriotic Iranians.
In 1951, General Razmara was assassinated by Khalil Tahmassebi, a member of the group Fadayan-e Islam, who was arrested at the crime scene.
In 1953, Iranians were divided into two political thinking; some advocated the left side of the political spectrum and supported Mohammad Mussadiq. The other side of the political spectrum was the royalist.
Ending of Chapter One:
HIM Pahlavi ends Chapter One with a great sense of egalitarian value. HIM Pahlavi deems the class system as a form of class struggle. HIM PAHLAVI believes in removing barriers among classes by building hospitals and schools to create social mobility among different social stratification.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Two”
Meeting the King:
HIM Pahlavi met the King for the first time at the embassy in Paris. The ambassador had chosen certain students who were doing well in their studies. The King was in the corner of the big reception room at the embassy, and students passed before the King one by one.
My father's brother, Esfandiar Diba, was an adjutant to the King, who discussed my scholarship with Mr. Zahedi abroad. Mr. Zahedi married the King's first daughter, Shahnaz, from the King's first marriage Princess Fawzia.
One day, Princess Shahnaz invited HIM Pahlavi to their home with other young women. The King entered the social function and began to have a conversation with everyone.
The King enjoyed His conversation with HIM Pahlavi. HIM Pahlavi had a moment of epiphany. HIM Pahlavi began to notice the King was a mortal person like anyone else. HIM Pahlavi realized the union with the King meant that HIM Pahlavi had to serve Iran and Iranians in different capacities.
The King told HIM Pahlavi, do you know I was married before? HIM Pahlavi replied by saying yes. The King asked for HIM Pahlavi's hand. HIM Pahlavi said yes.
HIM Pahlavi received letters regarding the marriage to the King that they had malicious in nature to discourage her from marrying the King, such as age gap. HIM Pahlavi ignored the letters and remained steadfast in her decision to build Iran with the King.
The King's Family:
The King invited HIM Pahlavi to meet His family. The first meeting involved the King's mother. HIM Pahlavi found the King's mother delightful because she was down-to-earth. The King's twin sister Ashraf was an intelligent and high-performance person who dedicated Her life to the progress of Iran.
The Pahlavi family had a tight-knit relationship. They would get together several times a week. HIM Pahlavi found every occasion cheerful because HIM Pahlavi treated everyone equally.
Poparazzi:
HIM Pahlavi travelled to Paris-France to go shopping for her wedding. When HIM Pahlavi arrived in Paris, the paparazzi were ready to snap pictures of HIM Pahlavi where She was even at Hotel Crillon.
Wedding Day:
On December 21st, 1959, HIM Pahlavi tied the knot with the King at the Marble Palace. HIM Pahlavi mentions that it was customary for a bride to wait for the clergyperson to ask three times, "are you willing to marry this person?" HIM Pahlavi heard the clergyperson once, and She replied, "yes." It is a memory for Her to cherish for the rest of Her life.
Blossoms of the Union:
HIM Pahlavi became pregnant with the first child. HIM Pahlavi did not want Her child to receive foreign medical treatment. She wanted Iranian doctors to care for the future Heir to the Throne of Iran. HIM Pahlavi selected a hospital in the southern part of Tehran, which was impoverished.
On October 31st, 1960, Reza, the first son of the King and Queen born. The news brought joy to people's hearts.
On March 12th, 1963, Farahnaz was born; the second child was a girl. On April 28th, 1966, the Royal family had a second son Ali Reza named after the King's brother, who lost his life due to an airplane accident. On March 27th, 1970, Leila Pahlavi was born.
Ending Feudalism:
On January 26th, 1963, the King passed a bill in the parliament, which approved ending feudalism in Iran and opened Iran's economy toward welfare liberalism.
Assassination Attempt:
On April 10th, 1965, one assassin used an assault rifle with military-grade bullets and opened fire at the King while the King was working at the Marble Palace. The assassin could not pass the immortal guards, and several guards sacrificed their lives for the King's life.
The King's Mind Frame:
One night the King summoned one of the conspirators to the palace. The conspirator regretted what he did. The King forgave him. The King many times forgave those individuals who took part in His assassinations.
"The King believes firmly in his destiny and God's will. He says: 'I shall be there as long as He thinks it necessary for me to be there.' Page 58.
Coronation Ceremony:
On October 26th, 1967, the King's forty-eighth birthday, the King crowned Himself and His Queen in a ceremony in the Museum Hall of Gulistan Palace in Tehran.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Three”
Trust:
The King trusted HIM Farah Pahlavi, for Her decision-making abilities and competence. Thus, the King wanted HIM Pahlavi to manage and direct portfolios that they had a direct impact on Iranians.
The King trusted HIM Pahlavi to the point that the King decided that if He departed from this world, HIM Pahlavi would be the regent of Iran.
England and Russia deemed Iran as their satellite state. Iran could not make an independent domestic or foreign policy without the prior approval of England or Russia. The consulate of England and Russia decided Iran's domestic and foreign affairs.
The Pahlavi dynasty cut off the influence of England and Russia on Iran. As a result, Iran became a sovereign state.
The King did not let His guard down and remained alert to how the external forces posed a safety and security threat to the sovereignty of Iran.
(From the narrator's view, the King may have underestimated the internal threat to Iran's safety and security as General Hossein Fardoust, a childhood friend of the King, betrayed the King and caused the 1979 Revolution. Plus, General Abbas Gharabaghi concealed the arrival of the US General Robert E. Huyser in Iran from the King and allowed the US General Huyser to convince the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, not to the coup or elimination of Khomeini in Iran.)
HIM Farah Pahlavi served for eighteen years for Iran and Iranians. During Her tenure in the office. HIM Pahlavi had a hundred fifty staff and received over sixty thousand letters from Iranians. The letters raised various issues and needed experts to assist Iranians. Thus, she created files for those issues and handed the matters to an imperial inspectorate.
Portfolios:
HIM Pahlavi did not want to become a symbolic figure over the portfolios such as orphans. HM Pahlavi took an active role in managing, directing and leading all Her portfolios.
HIM Pahlavi's priority was Town-Planning, life, environment. She also participated in a senior committee for research, social affairs, medical care, tourism, education, and improvement of agricultural issues.
The special evolving issue was the orphanages. HIM Pahlavi developed a new orphanage system which provided the orphans with proper attire, education, health and nutrition. The dormitories did not have numbers, but they had flower names instead. Orphans were not packed in a room like sardines in a can.
The above program developed other programs for mothers and newborn babies to build a healthy country from its foundation.
HIM Pahlavi and the King decided to build an inclusive community for individuals diagnosed with leprosy. The individuals could work and carry out their daily tasks without being shined in the community and receive medical treatments. The program was a true success story. However, the World Health Organization rejected the program without any scientific explanation.
HIM Pahlavi engaged with the individuals diagnosed with leprosy to remove the stigma about leprosy. HIM Pahlavi interacted with the individuals with leprosy; sometimes, the individuals would show their love and admiration for Her by kissing Her face. HIM Pahlavi never had health issues regarding leprosy.
Education:
The King and HIM Pahlavi wanted Iran to become industrialized by promoting education in Iran. A substantial amount of public funds was allocated toward Iran's education inside of Iran and outside of Iran. The Pahlavi dynasty wanted to be the vanguard of education because Persia was "the first to invent writing and tame the horse; Persia gave birth to the great forebears of medicine, mathematics and modern astronomy. Furthermore, some philosophers and great poets have influenced generations of Western thinkers and writers. Andre Malraux said: 'The world owes much to the history of Persia', but under Graco-Roman influence, many Europeans have forgotten it." From pages 73 to 74.
Emile Durkheim- Mechanical Solidarity vs Organic Solidarity:
HIM Pahlavi mentions that Iran was in mechanical solidarity at this particular moment. Family members spent time with each other and enjoyed each other's company. Once Iran became an industrial nation, Iran's society would be transformed into organic solidarity. People would become busy buying goods, and consumerism would become the main feature of Iranian society. The family tightness becomes loose, and people would focus on their careers and less time with family.
Last, the challenge for Iran is to become an industrial country. Once Iran passes the threshold of industrialization, it begins with new barriers and obstacles to overcome.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Four”
What Does Make a Person Persian?
Baron de Montesquieu attempted to answer the question, what does make a person Persian?
Persia has a rich diversity of cultures, and each culture is connected to another culture through poetry and oral history, making Persia a unique country. The oral tradition kept the history of Iran from Cyrus the Great and our daily life.
Iranians are well known for their courtesy manner, which does not align with European culture. Since Iranians recite poetry and use poetry as the language of logic to communicate with each other, their etiquette would have a high quality of social interaction compared with the European cultures.
Iran's climate has unique features, such as extreme weather in southern Iran, draining a highly motivated person. Even though the environment is harsh, Iranians from each corner of Iran remain gentle, human and kind.
Geo-Politics:
Iran is a bridge between West and East and connects the western civilization with the eastern civilization. As Iran provided safe passages for western and eastern travellers, it also offered commerce opportunities for global economic growth, such as the silk road.
Thus, Iran remains a vital country for western and eastern countries.
Reza Shah Pahlavi the Great:
Reza Shah Pahlavi the Great wanted to move Iran out of the dark ages and make Iran a modern country. He focused on the infrastructure of Iran by building bridges and connecting Iranians with one another. After a group of engineers completed a bridge project, Reza Shah would ask the engineers to stand beneath the bridge while heavy vehicles passed above them. Reza Shah the Great had his way of doing quality assurance checks.
Constructive Criticism:
Iranians developed a habit of making constructive criticism due to countless misfortunes they experienced.
Nomad's Living Standard:
Iran has nomads who change their place of living as climate changes. They had fridges, television, and all basic necessity of life. Their homes were mobile, and they had access to hygiene products. Last, their children attained the highest education, such as university degrees.
Celebration of 2500 Years of Monarchy of Iran:
HIM Farah Pahlavi mentioned the celebration of the 2500 years of the monarchy of Iran was to showcase Iran to the foreigners to boost Iran's tourism industry.
HIM Pahlavi's clothes had Baluch cultural patterns on it. It was made in Iran and not Christian Dior. Some artists from outside Iran came to Iran and volunteered their time for this event. They did not want any form of monetary compensation. They acted altruistically.
"Furthermore, as a token of our desire for peace and the continued tolerance of the Iranian people, we created the Cyrus Foundation, which, from its inception, undertook the charge of four children of every race - from their first day at school until the end of their university studies. To spread the idea of friendship, fraternity and equality among all races and nations, under the aegis of UNICEF or UNESCO, we wish to widen this gesture so that children of the whole world can be brought up together." On pages 92-93.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Five”
Politics of Oil:
1. Iran had black gold, but England owned Iran's black gold. England could possess Iran's oil because, during the Qajar dynasty, the central government was weak. On April 04th, 1909, geologist George Bernard Reynolds discovered oil in Iran. one year later, Burmah Oil created the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) as a subsidiary and sold shares to the public.
2. Iran's financial revenue from oil was transferred to England, and England tossed a few pennies to the Iranians.
3. Reza Shah the Great formed the Pahlavi dynasty with one urgent principle in his mind, to push England out of Iran. Iran's financial revenue from oil needed to circulate in Iran, not England.
4. A committee was formed and governed by progressive thinker Abdolhossein Teymourtash to stop England's influence on Iran's oil. However, England mastered the art of deception and installed Teymourtash from any progress.
5. World War Two broke out, and England invaded Iran under the pretext Reza Shah the Great collaborated with Nazi Germany.
6. Therefore, Reza Shah the Great's policy of nationalizing Iran's oil halted.
7. His Excellency Mohammad Mossadeq picked up the cause to nationalize Iran's oil. He had fast pace approach toward the nationalization of Iran. Consequently, Mossadeq's process sent a sudden shockwave to Iran's economy and the European countries. It led the country into anarchy and caused the 1953 Coup with the final result of restoring peace, order and good government.
8. The European countries formed a consortium to control the oil price.
9. By July 10th, 1973, Iran began to have self-autonomy over its economy and began to bring the oil price to a moderate equilibrium price.
10. In October 1973, a war broke out between Syria, Egypt, and Israel. The Arab countries imposed an embargo on the western countries for aiding Israel during the conflict. Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi did not do anything with the blockade. Therefore, the oil supply became less available in the market, and the price of oil went up.
Too Much Money Hurts Economy:
The economic system is fragile, and all systems are interconnected. One piece of that financial system makes one mistake. It causes ripple effects and causes severe damage to an economic system of a country.
The price of oil went up, and the world needed oil to have the energy to run their factories to produce goods to make sure the economic cycle was moving forward and not facing recession. Consumers needed to go to work with their vehicles—the fuels required to move the wheels to get them to work. The price of fuel went up. Thus, consumers were not happy. The cold season made everything hard because they needed the energy to keep their homes in cold seasons, and consumers did not adjust their budgets with a new price range. Thus, consumers felt financial hurt.
Other countries began to spend more than before on oil. Iran was taking money from different countries and selling them oil. Therefore, Iran's economy was not ready to han
Published @2021 by Vanishing Pictures Press
64 Knightsbridge, London SWIX 7fF, United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781735560601
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter One”
Chapter One
The chapter of the book covers Her Imperial Majesty (HIM), Empress Farah Pahlavi’s childhood all the way she travelled to France to pursue her higher education.
HIM Pahlavi was born in a conservative family in Tehran-Iran. She has family lineage to the prophet Muhammad from her father’s side. She also has family lineage to the prophet Muhammad from her mother’s side. From the patriarch and matriarch sides, the family members pursued their theological studies and became notable members of the religious scholars.
HIM Pahlavi says her father’s family were natives of Iranian- Azerbaijan, and her mother’s family were of Gilak origin, from Lahijan on the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea.
HIM Pahlavi’s father passed away during her early life of HIM Pahlavi. Her mother kept the matter quiet from HIM Pahlavi. HIM Pahlavi engaged Her mother several times to discover where Her father was. However, Her mother could not explain that Her father had passed away.
Education:
HIM Pahlavi attended Tehran’s Italian School. HIM Pahlavi enrolled in the French Jeanne d’Arc School until she was sixteen. HIM Pahlavi also attended the Lycée Razi. HIM Pahlavi graduated from Lycée Razi. HIM Pahlavi applied at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris, to study. HIM Pahlavi invested her time and energy toward architecture.
People Who Influenced Her:
HIM Pahlavi’s grandfather from Her father’s side was an amateur Iranian art collector in Tbilisi who studied in a Russian museum. HIM Pahlavi’s father was a gifted caricaturist, and HIM Pahlavi inherited Her father’s skills in drawing and music.
Association:
HIM Pahlavi pays close attention to Scout, an international organization, because many individuals who participated in Scout became key figures in their communities.
The Climate of Anarchy:
If politics mean managing conflict, my input, the 1950s of Iranian politics was all about managing conflict.
HIM Pahlavi brings to the attention that in the 50s, Iran is moving away from the Reza Shah the Great and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s vision of Greater Iran by building Iran’s infrastructure.
On February 04th, 1949, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi attended an annual ceremony to commemorate the founding of the University of Tehran. Fakhr-Arai fired several times at the King at the ceremony within three metres. Bullets did not cause serious bodily harm to His Imperial Majesty.
In the 1950s, Reza Shah the Great’s body returned to Iran to rest in peace in Iran. It was a sombre occasion for many patriotic Iranians.
In 1951, General Razmara was assassinated by Khalil Tahmassebi, a member of the group Fadayan-e Islam, who was arrested at the crime scene.
In 1953, Iranians were divided into two political thinking; some advocated the left side of the political spectrum and supported Mohammad Mussadiq. The other side of the political spectrum was the royalist.
Ending of Chapter One:
HIM Pahlavi ends Chapter One with a great sense of egalitarian value. HIM Pahlavi deems the class system as a form of class struggle. HIM PAHLAVI believes in removing barriers among classes by building hospitals and schools to create social mobility among different social stratification.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Two”
Meeting the King:
HIM Pahlavi met the King for the first time at the embassy in Paris. The ambassador had chosen certain students who were doing well in their studies. The King was in the corner of the big reception room at the embassy, and students passed before the King one by one.
My father's brother, Esfandiar Diba, was an adjutant to the King, who discussed my scholarship with Mr. Zahedi abroad. Mr. Zahedi married the King's first daughter, Shahnaz, from the King's first marriage Princess Fawzia.
One day, Princess Shahnaz invited HIM Pahlavi to their home with other young women. The King entered the social function and began to have a conversation with everyone.
The King enjoyed His conversation with HIM Pahlavi. HIM Pahlavi had a moment of epiphany. HIM Pahlavi began to notice the King was a mortal person like anyone else. HIM Pahlavi realized the union with the King meant that HIM Pahlavi had to serve Iran and Iranians in different capacities.
The King told HIM Pahlavi, do you know I was married before? HIM Pahlavi replied by saying yes. The King asked for HIM Pahlavi's hand. HIM Pahlavi said yes.
HIM Pahlavi received letters regarding the marriage to the King that they had malicious in nature to discourage her from marrying the King, such as age gap. HIM Pahlavi ignored the letters and remained steadfast in her decision to build Iran with the King.
The King's Family:
The King invited HIM Pahlavi to meet His family. The first meeting involved the King's mother. HIM Pahlavi found the King's mother delightful because she was down-to-earth. The King's twin sister Ashraf was an intelligent and high-performance person who dedicated Her life to the progress of Iran.
The Pahlavi family had a tight-knit relationship. They would get together several times a week. HIM Pahlavi found every occasion cheerful because HIM Pahlavi treated everyone equally.
Poparazzi:
HIM Pahlavi travelled to Paris-France to go shopping for her wedding. When HIM Pahlavi arrived in Paris, the paparazzi were ready to snap pictures of HIM Pahlavi where She was even at Hotel Crillon.
Wedding Day:
On December 21st, 1959, HIM Pahlavi tied the knot with the King at the Marble Palace. HIM Pahlavi mentions that it was customary for a bride to wait for the clergyperson to ask three times, "are you willing to marry this person?" HIM Pahlavi heard the clergyperson once, and She replied, "yes." It is a memory for Her to cherish for the rest of Her life.
Blossoms of the Union:
HIM Pahlavi became pregnant with the first child. HIM Pahlavi did not want Her child to receive foreign medical treatment. She wanted Iranian doctors to care for the future Heir to the Throne of Iran. HIM Pahlavi selected a hospital in the southern part of Tehran, which was impoverished.
On October 31st, 1960, Reza, the first son of the King and Queen born. The news brought joy to people's hearts.
On March 12th, 1963, Farahnaz was born; the second child was a girl. On April 28th, 1966, the Royal family had a second son Ali Reza named after the King's brother, who lost his life due to an airplane accident. On March 27th, 1970, Leila Pahlavi was born.
Ending Feudalism:
On January 26th, 1963, the King passed a bill in the parliament, which approved ending feudalism in Iran and opened Iran's economy toward welfare liberalism.
Assassination Attempt:
On April 10th, 1965, one assassin used an assault rifle with military-grade bullets and opened fire at the King while the King was working at the Marble Palace. The assassin could not pass the immortal guards, and several guards sacrificed their lives for the King's life.
The King's Mind Frame:
One night the King summoned one of the conspirators to the palace. The conspirator regretted what he did. The King forgave him. The King many times forgave those individuals who took part in His assassinations.
"The King believes firmly in his destiny and God's will. He says: 'I shall be there as long as He thinks it necessary for me to be there.' Page 58.
Coronation Ceremony:
On October 26th, 1967, the King's forty-eighth birthday, the King crowned Himself and His Queen in a ceremony in the Museum Hall of Gulistan Palace in Tehran.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Three”
Trust:
The King trusted HIM Farah Pahlavi, for Her decision-making abilities and competence. Thus, the King wanted HIM Pahlavi to manage and direct portfolios that they had a direct impact on Iranians.
The King trusted HIM Pahlavi to the point that the King decided that if He departed from this world, HIM Pahlavi would be the regent of Iran.
England and Russia deemed Iran as their satellite state. Iran could not make an independent domestic or foreign policy without the prior approval of England or Russia. The consulate of England and Russia decided Iran's domestic and foreign affairs.
The Pahlavi dynasty cut off the influence of England and Russia on Iran. As a result, Iran became a sovereign state.
The King did not let His guard down and remained alert to how the external forces posed a safety and security threat to the sovereignty of Iran.
(From the narrator's view, the King may have underestimated the internal threat to Iran's safety and security as General Hossein Fardoust, a childhood friend of the King, betrayed the King and caused the 1979 Revolution. Plus, General Abbas Gharabaghi concealed the arrival of the US General Robert E. Huyser in Iran from the King and allowed the US General Huyser to convince the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, not to the coup or elimination of Khomeini in Iran.)
HIM Farah Pahlavi served for eighteen years for Iran and Iranians. During Her tenure in the office. HIM Pahlavi had a hundred fifty staff and received over sixty thousand letters from Iranians. The letters raised various issues and needed experts to assist Iranians. Thus, she created files for those issues and handed the matters to an imperial inspectorate.
Portfolios:
HIM Pahlavi did not want to become a symbolic figure over the portfolios such as orphans. HM Pahlavi took an active role in managing, directing and leading all Her portfolios.
HIM Pahlavi's priority was Town-Planning, life, environment. She also participated in a senior committee for research, social affairs, medical care, tourism, education, and improvement of agricultural issues.
The special evolving issue was the orphanages. HIM Pahlavi developed a new orphanage system which provided the orphans with proper attire, education, health and nutrition. The dormitories did not have numbers, but they had flower names instead. Orphans were not packed in a room like sardines in a can.
The above program developed other programs for mothers and newborn babies to build a healthy country from its foundation.
HIM Pahlavi and the King decided to build an inclusive community for individuals diagnosed with leprosy. The individuals could work and carry out their daily tasks without being shined in the community and receive medical treatments. The program was a true success story. However, the World Health Organization rejected the program without any scientific explanation.
HIM Pahlavi engaged with the individuals diagnosed with leprosy to remove the stigma about leprosy. HIM Pahlavi interacted with the individuals with leprosy; sometimes, the individuals would show their love and admiration for Her by kissing Her face. HIM Pahlavi never had health issues regarding leprosy.
Education:
The King and HIM Pahlavi wanted Iran to become industrialized by promoting education in Iran. A substantial amount of public funds was allocated toward Iran's education inside of Iran and outside of Iran. The Pahlavi dynasty wanted to be the vanguard of education because Persia was "the first to invent writing and tame the horse; Persia gave birth to the great forebears of medicine, mathematics and modern astronomy. Furthermore, some philosophers and great poets have influenced generations of Western thinkers and writers. Andre Malraux said: 'The world owes much to the history of Persia', but under Graco-Roman influence, many Europeans have forgotten it." From pages 73 to 74.
Emile Durkheim- Mechanical Solidarity vs Organic Solidarity:
HIM Pahlavi mentions that Iran was in mechanical solidarity at this particular moment. Family members spent time with each other and enjoyed each other's company. Once Iran became an industrial nation, Iran's society would be transformed into organic solidarity. People would become busy buying goods, and consumerism would become the main feature of Iranian society. The family tightness becomes loose, and people would focus on their careers and less time with family.
Last, the challenge for Iran is to become an industrial country. Once Iran passes the threshold of industrialization, it begins with new barriers and obstacles to overcome.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Four”
What Does Make a Person Persian?
Baron de Montesquieu attempted to answer the question, what does make a person Persian?
Persia has a rich diversity of cultures, and each culture is connected to another culture through poetry and oral history, making Persia a unique country. The oral tradition kept the history of Iran from Cyrus the Great and our daily life.
Iranians are well known for their courtesy manner, which does not align with European culture. Since Iranians recite poetry and use poetry as the language of logic to communicate with each other, their etiquette would have a high quality of social interaction compared with the European cultures.
Iran's climate has unique features, such as extreme weather in southern Iran, draining a highly motivated person. Even though the environment is harsh, Iranians from each corner of Iran remain gentle, human and kind.
Geo-Politics:
Iran is a bridge between West and East and connects the western civilization with the eastern civilization. As Iran provided safe passages for western and eastern travellers, it also offered commerce opportunities for global economic growth, such as the silk road.
Thus, Iran remains a vital country for western and eastern countries.
Reza Shah Pahlavi the Great:
Reza Shah Pahlavi the Great wanted to move Iran out of the dark ages and make Iran a modern country. He focused on the infrastructure of Iran by building bridges and connecting Iranians with one another. After a group of engineers completed a bridge project, Reza Shah would ask the engineers to stand beneath the bridge while heavy vehicles passed above them. Reza Shah the Great had his way of doing quality assurance checks.
Constructive Criticism:
Iranians developed a habit of making constructive criticism due to countless misfortunes they experienced.
Nomad's Living Standard:
Iran has nomads who change their place of living as climate changes. They had fridges, television, and all basic necessity of life. Their homes were mobile, and they had access to hygiene products. Last, their children attained the highest education, such as university degrees.
Celebration of 2500 Years of Monarchy of Iran:
HIM Farah Pahlavi mentioned the celebration of the 2500 years of the monarchy of Iran was to showcase Iran to the foreigners to boost Iran's tourism industry.
HIM Pahlavi's clothes had Baluch cultural patterns on it. It was made in Iran and not Christian Dior. Some artists from outside Iran came to Iran and volunteered their time for this event. They did not want any form of monetary compensation. They acted altruistically.
"Furthermore, as a token of our desire for peace and the continued tolerance of the Iranian people, we created the Cyrus Foundation, which, from its inception, undertook the charge of four children of every race - from their first day at school until the end of their university studies. To spread the idea of friendship, fraternity and equality among all races and nations, under the aegis of UNICEF or UNESCO, we wish to widen this gesture so that children of the whole world can be brought up together." On pages 92-93.
“1001 Days Memoirs of an Empress by HIM Farah Pahlavi-Chapter Five”
Politics of Oil:
1. Iran had black gold, but England owned Iran's black gold. England could possess Iran's oil because, during the Qajar dynasty, the central government was weak. On April 04th, 1909, geologist George Bernard Reynolds discovered oil in Iran. one year later, Burmah Oil created the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) as a subsidiary and sold shares to the public.
2. Iran's financial revenue from oil was transferred to England, and England tossed a few pennies to the Iranians.
3. Reza Shah the Great formed the Pahlavi dynasty with one urgent principle in his mind, to push England out of Iran. Iran's financial revenue from oil needed to circulate in Iran, not England.
4. A committee was formed and governed by progressive thinker Abdolhossein Teymourtash to stop England's influence on Iran's oil. However, England mastered the art of deception and installed Teymourtash from any progress.
5. World War Two broke out, and England invaded Iran under the pretext Reza Shah the Great collaborated with Nazi Germany.
6. Therefore, Reza Shah the Great's policy of nationalizing Iran's oil halted.
7. His Excellency Mohammad Mossadeq picked up the cause to nationalize Iran's oil. He had fast pace approach toward the nationalization of Iran. Consequently, Mossadeq's process sent a sudden shockwave to Iran's economy and the European countries. It led the country into anarchy and caused the 1953 Coup with the final result of restoring peace, order and good government.
8. The European countries formed a consortium to control the oil price.
9. By July 10th, 1973, Iran began to have self-autonomy over its economy and began to bring the oil price to a moderate equilibrium price.
10. In October 1973, a war broke out between Syria, Egypt, and Israel. The Arab countries imposed an embargo on the western countries for aiding Israel during the conflict. Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi did not do anything with the blockade. Therefore, the oil supply became less available in the market, and the price of oil went up.
Too Much Money Hurts Economy:
The economic system is fragile, and all systems are interconnected. One piece of that financial system makes one mistake. It causes ripple effects and causes severe damage to an economic system of a country.
The price of oil went up, and the world needed oil to have the energy to run their factories to produce goods to make sure the economic cycle was moving forward and not facing recession. Consumers needed to go to work with their vehicles—the fuels required to move the wheels to get them to work. The price of fuel went up. Thus, consumers were not happy. The cold season made everything hard because they needed the energy to keep their homes in cold seasons, and consumers did not adjust their budgets with a new price range. Thus, consumers felt financial hurt.
Other countries began to spend more than before on oil. Iran was taking money from different countries and selling them oil. Therefore, Iran's economy was not ready to han
November 8, 2022
so crazy how i didn’t know anything about Farah Pahlavi before reading this and she’s such a remarkable person. reading the last chapter made me so sad :(
December 4, 2022
Farah Pahlavi écrit avec une trop grande subjectivité sur le passé historique de l'Iran et présente sa version et sa vision des faits comme une réalité . Non , le peuple n'avait pas pleuré lors du départ du shah d'Iran et l'Iran n'était pas et n'est pas une démocratie. Farah Pahlavi donne un portrait de son mari le shah d'Iran déformé , elle le présente comme une personne vertueuse qui était à l'écoute de sa population alors qu'il était un dictatur .
September 12, 2025
زنده باد شهبانو فرح پهلوی مادر ایران نوین
March 5, 2025
Written while Farah Pahlavi was still Empress of Iran, this book shows us a unique viewpoint. We learn a little of Farah's early life, her whirlwind courtship and marriage, and her introduction into official duties. I'm glad this book has been reprinted. It shows us just how far the country of Iran has gone backwards. I enjoyed reading some of the little anecdotes that Farah tells about her travels abroad and meeting various world leaders. A particularly amusing one for me involves US President Kennedy.
This book is also, at times, very poetic. Good reading.
This book is also, at times, very poetic. Good reading.
March 18, 2025
This book was written exactly a year before the 1979 revolution in Iran but has only recently been published. It provides an informative account from the inside, highlighting the struggles of a respectful and loving patriotic family that worked tirelessly for the prosperity of their country despite foreign interference and the sabotage of traitors. It is a must-read for all Iranians.
Read
October 28, 2024Seems like a brief from her other dairies published, very similar content.
Very involved with many affairs in Iran, but might sound out of touch at parts. Yet cannot judge with my limited knowledge on the welfare of public at the time.
Very involved with many affairs in Iran, but might sound out of touch at parts. Yet cannot judge with my limited knowledge on the welfare of public at the time.
Want to read
February 15, 2023I like to read this book but I'm not sure if there's a Persian translation of this book. If anyone knows i will be happy to help me find it. Thanks a lot 🌹
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