Soraya Estafandiary: Queen and later Princess of Iran

[Blueice]

Soraya...

Soraya On "Three Faces Of A Woman" Set
Original caption: 9/22/1964-Sardinia, Italy- Wrapped in a terrycloth poncho robe, Soraya, the former Empress of Iran, sits pensively waiting for the cameras to roll for a scene in her first movie. The scene takes place on a yacht, and is one of the three episodes of "Three Faces of a Woman," on location in Sardinia, Italy.

Another wedding photo...

Official duties...

Sports...

Soraya...

Soraya...so much alike Ingrid Bergman in 'Notorious'...

Soraya...

All pictures by Corbis

[Julia]

She really was a striking beauty. And was her mother German born and of Russian descent or was she ethnically German? I ask because from this clipping from a 1957 Cosmopolitan magazine is states that her mum was German.

[Beate]

Her mom was ethnically German to my knowlegde. I also remember some memoirs way back which were published in a German magazine..i wish I would have kept it.. Now, I am not too sure on this one but I think she also suffered miscarriages. Does anyone know more?

[Humera]

thanx for the articles Blueice.
The divorce must've affected her deeply. She obviously never found true happiness after that and led a restless life. I truly feel sad for her.

[Blueice]

thanx for the articles Blueice.
The divorce must've affected her deeply. She obviously never found true happiness after that and led a restless life. I truly feel sad for her.

You're very welcome, Humera. :flower: I thought it might be interested to get to know more about this beautiful, yet so unhappy lady. It seems to be a curse of a beauty - strangely enough, most beautiful women were too much desired and so little truly loved and understanded. So sad. One can easily get acusstomed to wealth, luxury and benefits that goes with it - but getting acusstomed to lack of emotions, substance and fulfillment in one's life is much more difficult.

[Blueice]

Soraya...

Fashion shaw...

With a friend...

At home...

With a pet...

John Bryan and Soraya

Birthday photo...

The end...

Memories...

All pictures by Corbis

[Asma2]

Nice job Blueice, one could really learn from those posting a lot. I feel sorry for her. She got all and truly, she had nothing. It is very sad story about her life.

However, her lavish lifestyle took my attention the most. It was not surprised that people of Iran overthrown them. I believe that some of Middle East monarchs can learn a lot from them.

[Queen Malka]

I was thinking, we could devote a thread to some of our beloved royals, who have passed on. I wish to pass on the honor in the name of Her Serene Highness, Soraya Estafandiary of Iran. And you, all eager royal watchers can follow with a few words or pictures...

[Queen Malka]

There is book written by Princess Soraya, which is now out of print and considered rare. Need a review or excerpt, dont hesitate to contact me. Its a great insight into the Tehran Royal Court

[EmpressRouge]

Originally Posted by Queen Malka

There is book written by Princess Soraya, which is now out of print and considered rare. Need a review or excerpt, dont hesitate to contact me. Its a great insight into the Tehran Royal Court

There are two autobiographies by the late Soraya. One was published in the 60s, Soraya, the Autobiography of Her Imperial Highness, which I've read. Not a whole lot of insight/info. The other one is Palace of Solitudes published in 1991. I managed to find the French version on ebay France after a long search. Just started it. Also, there was a European telefilm about her life (mostly about her marriage) that aired in 2003.

[hilal]

More book bye the late Empress Soraya Bertrand Meyer-Stabley:
La Veritable Princess Soraya.

[Queen Malka]

Originally Posted by EmpressRouge

There are two autobiographies by the late Soraya. One was published in the 60s, Soraya, the Autobiography of Her Imperial Highness, which I've read. Not a whole lot of insight/info. The other one is Palace of Solitudes published in 1991. I managed to find the French version on ebay France after a long search. Just started it. Also, there was a European telefilm about her life (mostly about her marriage) that aired in 2003.

Yes I know, I have been trying to find the second book published in 1991 but no luck. Do you know any link where I can find the book and the European Telefilm? There is also an italian movie she starred in, called "il tre Voltre" three faces of a woman. I have been trying to find that movie too, but no luck.

[EmpressRouge]

Originally Posted by Queen Malka

Yes I know, I have been trying to find the second book published in 1991 but no luck. Do you know any link where I can find the book and the European Telefilm? There is also an italian movie she starred in, called "il tre VoTRFe" three faces of a woman. I have been trying to find that movie too, but no luck.

Info about the telefilm: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348076/, http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...578385-3546961, http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASI...895530-6608929
The film was a joint Italian/German production. I don't think it was ever dubbed in English.

[EmpressRouge]

Pictures of Anna Valle (Miss Italy 95) as Soraya and Erol Sander as the Shah, et al. from the telefilm. As you can see, they altered/simplified the design of Soraya's wedding gown for the movie.

[EmpressRouge]

More pics from the telefim

[Queen Malka]

wow thanks for the lovely pictures, at first miss Anna valle, didn't seem to look like Soraya, but now I can see the resemblance. I just really wish I could watch it somehow, with English subtitles, I know basic french but it would take me a while to catch up with it. Let me know if it comes out with subtitles! And once again, thank you

[EmpressRouge]

I managed to order a copy from alapage.com; I think they are the only place that has it in stock right now. Including shipping to United States (Standard, which took less than a week) it cost me about 20 euros, so a little under $25. Full title is The DVD comes in French and Italian versions, w/ French subtitles. I don't think they'll ever come out w/ an English subtitled version. I thought it was pretty good movie about love in amid political intrigue. Runs a little over 3 hrs. Anna Valle doesn't really resemble Soraya, but the movie made sure to emphasize her lilywhite skin and, of course, piercing emerald eye which made it believable. The DVD is a Region 2 DVD, so make sure your player can play it. The one on my computer allows you to switch between regions 4 times before becoming permanant. Also I had a friend who managed to hack into her players to de-regionize it.

[hilal]

1. Wedding of Soraya and the Shah Reza Pahlavi.
Arrival of the bride at the palace.
2. Wedding of Soraya and the Shah Resa Pahlawi.
The couple receives good wishes from the diplomatic corps
3. Cover of the German magazine "Revue" : Shah of Iran and Princess Soraya's wedding.
4. Marriage of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiary at the Palace of Teheran, February 12, 1951.
5. Empress Soraya of Persia, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss, and Shah Reza Pahlavi of Persia in Bad Godesberg during the Shah's official visit to the FRG (BRD), February 23, 1955.
6. Soraya davanti all'Hotel Bernini.

[hilal]

:) Pictures from getty.

[EmpressRouge]

Some pictures I scanned from Soraya's autobiography Le Palais des Solitudes (The Palace of Solitudes).

1. The picture that changed history: "It was upon seeing this photograph that the Shah decided to make me his wife."
2. A few pictures of young Soraya
3. Soraya's family: Her father Khalil Esfandiary Bakhtiari, Iranian Ambassador to Germany; her German mother, the former Eva Klein; her younger brother and "confident" Bijan.
4. The engagement in Tehran. The Shah's sister and Soraya's friend in the palace, Princess Shams, is seen whispering in her husband's ear.
5. The wedding at the Golestan Palace. In the bottom picture, Soraya is beening saluted by the Shah's brothers.
6. The newlyweds
7. Soraya with her eleven-year-old stepdaughter, Shahnaz, only child of the Shah and his first wife, Fawzia of Egypt.
8. Soraya with "her" girls at the first camp of the Soraya Foundation on the Caspian Sea.
9. The reputed Queen. Above: Soraya receives flowers from a well wisher. Main picture: Soraya the actress in Rome reading a script and wanting to make a good film.
10. Soraya with director and lover Franco Indovina.