Last Empress Of Iran, Who Fled The Country In 1979. Where Is She Now?

I was teaching English in Iran back in 1978 and was there when the revolution broke out. I was working teaching the Iranian Navy in Rasht and in a small seaside town called Bandar-e Pahlavi The Shah was trying to give an education to naval recruits when they entered service. Iran was a country of two parts; in some ways quite modern and in others very backward. Women dressed in a very Western style, mini-skirts and all. I was very struck by what a good looking race the Iranians were, the women in particular. But at the same time there was a large contingent of more conservative Iranians (mostly devout Muslims) who strongly opposed the westernization of their country. And although there was a lot of wealth, there was also a lot of poverty. The brutal secret police SAVAK were used to suppress dissent, often torturing and killing those they saw as a threat. I was once called into my employers' office and a private conversation I had had in a restaurant with some friends was relayed back to me, and I was warned about speaking about certain things openly. When I was there there was a massive earthquake in a town called Tabas, hundreds of kms away from Rasht. But we experienced the terrifying effects of the earthquake even that far away from the epicentre. My girlfriend (who was also teaching) and I could see the discontent in the people and knew that something bad was coming down the road. We gave in our notice and began changing our Iranian money for Dollars and Swiss Francs. We were finally able to end our contract just as the revolution broke out. When we got to Tehran to get a train out of the country, all hell broke loose. Buildings were on fire and people were running around the streets with firearms, the airports had closed down as had the trains, and even the main bus station wasn't operating. My girlfriend and I took cover in the main train station and a local taxi-driver, who had seen my girlfriend crying, came over and told us to follow him to his taxi. He drove us about twenty miles outside the city to a small town in the middle of nowhere where a bus was waiting heading for Turkey. I offered to pay him but he refused to take any money. I bless that man to this day.

Iran was a beautiful country before Islamic revolution.

my wife used to work for the family of Mahmoud Diba who was the brother of the king. She first began as a nanny and than was promoted as a cook and close confidant of the wife, Layla Diba. On some occasions the queen would stay with the family and upon doing so she and my wife met through her excellent cooking. Furthermore, the queen offered my wife to come work for her, but my wife declined given her devotion to Mrs Diba. Upon the death of Mr Diba on September 1998, just three months after the purchase of our home, I was invited to attend his wake along with my wife at their home and there I met her majesty the queen. A very gracious lady and I had to bow before her because I wasn’t accustom to being in the presence of royalty like my wife was. A memory I will never forget

Forget the money, jewels, etc. every crowned head of state has them, but this woman was forward thinking and a champion for women everywhere. She is a credit to her country and should be revered as a hero, not a villain. God (Allah) bless her.

Remember hearing her speak years ago, she was so poised and wise. I was a girl then and greatly impressed by her. Glad to know she is well and with family.

Her Majesty is truly radiant, Her family is beautiful. I hope the Iranian women find freedom before Her passing, the world is changing very quickly these days.

She has so much class and has done so much for Iran! I hope she gets to see a free Iran again!

I am a Pakistani Canadian. I worked briefly in Iran in 1978 during last days of Shah. It was a wealthy nation. I am sad to see the state of the old queen but I wish her and her family well.

Thank you dear Farah Pahlavi for all your great love and endurance

Her Majesty is a GREAT LADY.

Just by seeing this commentary I wish for Iranians to have that life again. They were free people, women with no covering. They lived as true PERSIANS.

Thanks for sharing ♥️ beatuitful let's pray that this country and every country will be FREE , no fighting no wars no dictatorship or opression of people

The wife of a friend of mine was in the employ of the Empress at the time of the revolution. She was given a signed blank cheque and told to get out as fast as possible. His wife did not take advantage of it. Taking only what she as owed.

Beautiful poised wise Farah Pahlavi has gone through so much, may God bless her with peace, good health and happiness

I was around 11-12 yrs old when my father as diplomat were stationed in Tehran. It was the reign of Shahansah Aryamehr, as I recalled. At young age, me and my family we would tour the city and country and I can visualize that there is NO extreme poverty or sadness or that sort of things. Everybody was happy. I talk to my Iranian friends and they praised highly of the royal family. When we were invited to international football event, where the Shah attended, people all over the stadium cheered him rigorously. That’s when I believed that the people loved the royal family. We went to the holy city of Qom and the Ayatullahs greeted us as royal guests and warm hospitality, even though they knew that we are Sunnis. About the dress code; Iranian women wearing mini skirts walk side by side with one wearing cadar/niqab. I only see harmony. 3 years after we left Iran, revolution erupted. Until today, I don’t understand what is really going on there. I will visit Iran once again, God’s willing, someday to tour this beautiful country.

She is a great Lady with a big heart, God bless her.

So very sad what happened to this country

Her jewellery n tiaras are the most beautiful n luxurious that I've ever seen compared to other countries' queens.

.my father in law was a diplomatic envoy to Iran and worked with the Shah. They had wonderful memories of their time there.

This is very tragic but yet a beautiful story. I can't imagine having to leave her country that she obviously loved so much. Its clear she loved her husband very much. Losing your country, your husband, and two of your children had to have been so very hard. She's a very strong woman.