Soraya Estafandiary: Queen and later Princess of Iran (1932-2001)


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Some rare pictures that I used for my video.
 

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Some more...
 

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And some more...From photographer Elisabetta Catalano
 

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From an old Turkish newspaper clipping
 

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Has anyone read the Princess's second auto-biography? I finally got ahold of the French version, but I just recently heard that both Palace of Solitude and her first bio in 1964 are basically the same?
 
Actually, if anyone reads this thread at all, the second book is far more intimate and personal. With the first book she was a bit reserved and kept her image intact, the second book however reveals more to add to her character. She wrote it when she was nearing the end of her and had nothing to loose by speaking the truth. The people she wrote about were either dead or they were too old to be affected by it.
I understand why the press dubbed her the princess with sad eyes, but she was really happy, and resilient with a great love for life. Perhaps its time to lift the myth of her legend.
 
I got this article from an old newspaper clipping, I think its the only existing interview of the Princess. I translated it from the french.

A private life in a closed vase

We sit here in front of the living room of her house in Munich. She prepares us a drink. And she herself drinks only a glass of frozen water. She is completely comfortable, of a sovereign ease. And questions and responses exchange themselves:

Who are the servants? Have you always had that blond maître’d who served you in Rome?

No, he left. He seemed allergic to the roman climate and returned to his home. I have another hotel maître’d now. I also have a multi-tasked secretary that takes care of the house; I also employ a gardener and a cook.

No body guards?

No. and I will relate you something funny. From time to time, I carry my more beautiful jewels, reason for which I then must engage detectives. Two men follow me wherever I go and that keep the eye on months in permanence. I had recourse to their services once more at the time of the opening of the opera season in Munich, this counseled by the directors of my insurance company who said me: "this will be simpler thus".

Why?

Because, I suppose, the jewels that I carried were worth a fortune. The earrings with, each, a diamond of 25 karats alone.

Twenty five karats!

Yes, but I do not carry these earrings, only on very rare occasions. This is one gift I hold, it was given to me during my marriage. At the time during a trip to the United States

Had you chosen the earrings yourself?

No, the choice was not mine it was of the... shah. He liked these earrings and I was surprised that he purchased them for me.

She almost lost foot while responding to this question. But already she recovered.

Are these earning insured?

No, the insurance company was said me that this too would be risky. I rely on the detectives that I employ. And I have, at my place, a safe where I keep these jewels. In reality, I do not like to carry them: I fear losing them.

Which Other jewels do you possess?

Is it important to you that I respond?

No, just simply curious!

Well, compared to the jewels of the maharani of the Baroda, they do not represent big amount.

And compared to those of Sophia Loren?

I am unaware of what she possesses. I have a riviere of diamonds but the rocks are evidently a lot more modest than you think; and also emeralds. This is a precious rock that I like. But now can we change the topic of the conversation?

Your wardrobe is certainly well furnished?

I suppose I have a dressing room full, but I do not count them. Most of them are gifts.

Do you know how to drive and, in the affirmative one, which car do you have?

Yes, I drive a Bentley, a car of big luxury.

With a mini-bar and other conveniences?

No, not that model.

Any other car?

Yes, a small Opel with which I go shopping. I do not use the Bentley that for those trips. I like to drive. If the distances are too big, I take the airplane. But I detest this method of transportation and I avoid it as much as possible. But there is not other way to arrive in Hollywood.

How many times resided you over there?

Six times, and before you ask, the last single friends who visited were for professional reasons.

You travel a lot, which city you prefer?

Munich, but I also love Paris, New York and I think London but I have never resided there long enough to form an opinion.

Why Munich?

Simply because it pleases me, equally because I am German by my mother. And because my parents live in this city. My father was the Iranian ambassador in Bonn for ten years, he now recently withdrew from his diplomatic career, and he’s set up himself here. Here are the whole reasons for which Munich is my home port. This house we are in, I have had it for four years and I like it.

Has your father completely withdrawn from diplomatic matters?

He has interests in Persia

Does he have villages there?

No, only land

Does he visit there often?

No, generally once every two years and it is usually only for business

Will you ever go back to Persia?

No

And if an occasion ever rose?

I sometimes think of going back, but right now I have no reason to.

What if you followed your thought to Persia?

I could go whenever I want, I have a Persian Passport.

A visa isn’t necessary?

Yes and I have same need of a visa for each country. Because my passport is a diplomatic passport, a visa is every time essential. Therefore I send my passport to the Persian embassy in Bonn, this that takes three days. Thus, whenever I want to visit this country, I must await three days before undertaking a small movement.

Has a country ever refused you a visa?

No, there would be no reason to do so.
 
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Soraya

Thanks for translating the interview, Queen Malka. :)

Here are a few pictures I found on ebay:

SorayaQu10848.jpg SorayaQu10849.jpg SorayaQu10850.jpg SorayaQu10851.jpg
 
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Queen Soraya - one of many photos taken by SAKO in Tehran (1953) and auctioned in Paris.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/1.html
Wedding 12 February 1951, Gholestan Palace, Tehran.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/2.html
Soraya and the Shah at a picnic.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/3.html
Soraya on a magazine cover after her divorce from the Shah .
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/4.html
Prime Minister Mossadegh at an audience with Queen Soraya.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/5.html
Official ceremony 1950s.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/6.html
Shah and Soraya after riding together (1950s).
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/7.html
Commemorative coin with Queen Soraya and Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/8.html
Soraya and the Shah at a village school.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/9.html
Exile August 1953 - Soraya in Rome.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/10.html
Court Portrait by SAKO of Queen Soraya 1953.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/11.html
 
The Shah and Soraya at Marble Palace, Tehran.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/16.html
State visit to London 1950s.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/17.html
Shah and Soraya discussing their future.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/19.html
The Shah and his bride relaxing in the main reception hall of the Marble Palace circa 1951, Tehran.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/20.html
Soraya the actress (Rome 1960s).
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/22.html
Last portrait of Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiary 2001.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/23.html
Formal portrait of Queen Soraya.
http://www.iranian.com/CyrusKadivar/2002/June/Soraya/24.html
 
Wasn't Soroya considered his true love? He supposedly loved her until the end. Not that he didn't love Farah, but Soroya was the true love I read somewhere that I can't remember.
 
michelleq said:
Wasn't Soroya considered his true love? He supposedly loved her until the end. Not that he didn't love Farah, but Soroya was the true love I read somewhere that I can't remember.
the magazine Royal Romances said something like that as well, but I would totally agree with the source, the Shah wasn't to keen with his arranged marriage to Princess Fawzia, and I have a suspicion that his marriage to Farah was sort of a marriage of convenience or something like the JFK and Jackie relationship (you know they had an agreement of some sort). But with Soraya, I'm certain it was true love.
 
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Not entirely sure about the JFK/Jackie analogy-she really loved him despite his near-constant womanizing (and supposedly Old Joe the father-in-law offered her $1mil US not to divorce Jack and thus help his presidential ambitions) but when JFK was killed she was truly devastated and I believe he was, despite his faults, the love of her life. Maybe there are similarities between the Shah and Farah in that she knew of his infidelities but loved him anyway. I would be very interested to know more of the background of the Shah and Soraya's marriage.
 
Pictures from old Newspaper clippings

Princess Soraya and Franco Indovina in Germany shortly before his death

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/walk.jpg

Soraya in her home, 1972

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/untitled.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/relaxed1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/relaxed.jpg

On set of I TRE VOLTI with Dino Di Laurentiis instructing her

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/onset.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/dilaurentiis.jpg

Soraya and Indovina hiding a secret? This paparrazzo picture was one of the first taken of their budding romance
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/caught.jpg

Soraya with a orangutan
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/Monkey.jpg
 
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Reina said:
Well I probably assumed he was talkign abou this mom and another relative.:eek:

I the movie there is a prominent role for a certain Princess Shamira/Samira, who is supposed to be a cousin of the shah. Can anyone tell me more about her or is she fictional?
 
Danjel said:
I the movie there is a prominent role for a certain Princess Shamira/Samira, who is supposed to be a cousin of the shah. Can anyone tell me more about her or is she fictional?

If you are talking about the Soraya movie, then yes Princess Samira is fictional. There is much about the mini series that was fictionalized such as the part when Soraya slaps the Shah. I believe that Samira was fictionalized to demonstrate Princess Ashraf, without really throwing it in her face.
 
Danjel said:
... on the other hand I was also wondering why Ashraf was not portraied..

Perhaps they were afraid of doing that!!!!!!!:D
 
Iwona said:
Perhaps they were afraid of doing that!!!!!!!:D

I agree, since she is one of the last Pahlavis alive who were depicted in the movie.
 
This Thread of Soraya was fantastic!!! Thanks to everyone who has contibuted! I have read the autobiography "Palace of Solitude" translated into english, and i must say that it was written as if her life was a beautifull poem!It was actually by chance that i came accross this book not knowing who Soraya was, and now i am a true fan of hers! as a result, I have been readind many biographies of middle-eastern women of stature! i've read books on the Shah of iran, Empress Farah's recent biography, The princess trilogy about a Saudi Royal family member , La Prissoniere about morrocco's royal court and now im reading Maharani's about the raj's princesses in India.I am completely facinated by the Extraordinary lives that these women have lead and extremely fascinated with the extravagance of their surrounds.Thanks alot! I would like to know if their are any other books that anyone of you can recommend in particular biographies on Royal Exiles of the middle East? Is there a book of Princess Fawzia of Iran? There is a book on er marriage to the sha which i would like to get a copy of , any idea where?
 
i also read her autobiography in french, and it was written like a poem. there were many sad moments in her life, and yet she still had dignity and moved on. she was the most beautiful princess ever and her beauty and emerald green eyes will be remembered for all time. shah always loved soraya and never stopped loving her. she also loved him back and never stopped loving him. :)
 
harley said:
i also read her autobiography in french, and it was written like a poem. there were many sad moments in her life, and yet she still had dignity and moved on. she was the most beautiful princess ever and her beauty and emerald green eyes will be remembered for all time. shah always loved soraya and never stopped loving her. she also loved him back and never stopped loving him. :)
I totally agree with you, if there was love like that left in the world.

reza22 said:
This Thread of Soraya was fantastic!!! Thanks to everyone who has contibuted! I have read the autobiography "Palace of Solitude" translated into english, and i must say that it was written as if her life was a beautifull poem!It was actually by chance that i came accross this book not knowing who Soraya was, and now i am a true fan of hers! as a result, I have been readind many biographies of middle-eastern women of stature! i've read books on the Shah of iran, Empress Farah's recent biography, The princess trilogy about a Saudi Royal family member , La Prissoniere about morrocco's royal court and now im reading Maharani's about the raj's princesses in India.I am completely facinated by the Extraordinary lives that these women have lead and extremely fascinated with the extravagance of their surrounds.Thanks alot! I would like to know if their are any other books that anyone of you can recommend in particular biographies on Royal Exiles of the middle East? Is there a book of Princess Fawzia of Iran? There is a book on er marriage to the sha which i would like to get a copy of , any idea where?
There really isnt an official book about Princess Fawzia, however you might want to grab some biographies about her brother King Faroukh since all siblings were very close and your bound to get some info about her childhood. I have posted a lot of photos of the Princess's wedding to the Shah in her thread, have you seen it? The book I retreived it from is very hard to find, but I was lucky enough to check it out from the Princton University Library, which is probably the only library in the North East that had it.
 
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Prince Raymond Orsini

The princess was often seen in the company of Prince Orsini soon after her divorce, was he her first love interest since the divorce? She writes about a "Roman Friend" in her book.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/2f25d3d4.jpg

The Princess drives into the Italian country side
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/f75452f2.jpg

In the country
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/pic7.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/a2dedf95.jpg

The Prince and the Princess
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/a24e00cb.jpg

Dancing
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/d1840be0.jpg

In Naples, being taunted by the press
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/cd5e6588.jpg

Soraya smells the flowers given by the Prince
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_Malka/19a70d8c.jpg
 
Wonderfully written short bio about the Princess's life. It some wonderful, never before seen photos. Written by the Princess's cousin, who in collaboration with other family members was able to write this and share it with us.

http://www.bakhtiarifamily.com/soraya.php
 
Soraya was a beatiful person...But I'm always asking to myself is the Shah and her lived a love story, or if their marriage was a state reason, after all. Soraya claimed to have loved Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, but we'll never know if this was true. As for him , the Shah was a sphinx in all things related to his feelings. We don't know if he loved Princess Fawzia, or Princess Soraya...However, I think that he was very happy married to Farah Diba. This is noticiable in all pics they appears together. You don't see him happy as well with his former two wives...

Vanesa.
 
Vanesa said:
Soraya was a beatiful person...But I'm always asking to myself is the Shah and her lived a love story, or if their marriage was a state reason, after all. Soraya claimed to have loved Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, but we'll never know if this was true. As for him , the Shah was a sphinx in all things related to his feelings. We don't know if he loved Princess Fawzia, or Princess Soraya...However, I think that he was very happy married to Farah Diba. This is noticiable in all pics they appears together. You don't see him happy as well with his former two wives...

Vanesa.

I find it contrary, I think he was the happiest while married to Soraya. His marriage to Farah, although a sucessful one, was nothing compared to the love between him and Soraya because it was of 'first love' quality in which all innocence prevailed. They were divorced because of reasons of state. And when he announced it to the public, he openly cried while doing so. Pictures are like illusions, and can be very deceiving. Remember Princess Diana and Prince Charles? Everyone thought they were so happy, while having no idea of what was going beneath the fairy-tale.
Throughout their marriage, the Shah and Farah were always haunted by rumours that they were thinking of divorce. When he was married to Soraya, all you heard were stories of how much they loved each other and how much his duties of a King burdened that love.

But then again, its just my opinion.
 
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