Royalty · Politics · 1919–1980
Born: 26 October 1919 · Died: 27 July 1980 · Age: 60
Last Shah of Iran, who ruled from 1941 and modernised the country before being overthrown in the 1979 revolution
Did you know?He was a qualified pilot and often flew his own private planes during international diplomatic trips and state visits.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran. He came to the throne in 1941 when Britain and the Soviet Union forced his father to abdicate. In 1953 a coup backed by the US and Britain toppled Prime Minister Mosaddegh and restored his power. His White Revolution brought land reform, women's votes and rapid modernisation. Oil wealth flowed. But his secret police, SAVAK, brutally crushed opposition. Mass protests in 1978 forced him to leave Iran in January 1979. He died in exile in Egypt.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (26 October 1919 – 27 July 1980) was the last Shah of Iran, reigning from 1941 to 1979.
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Profile
Shah of Iran, 1919–1980
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was born in Tehran on 26 October 1919.
He became Shah in 1941.
He launched the White Revolution in 1963.
He left Iran in January 1979.
Career highlights
Did you know?In 1971 he held a lavish party at Persepolis for 2,500 years of monarchy.
Questions people ask
b. 1947Photo: United States Department of State · Public domain
1916–1996Photo: Comet Photo AG (Zürich) · CC BY-SA 4.0
b. 1959Photo: EneasMx · CC BY-SA 4.0
1759–1794Photo: anonymous · CC0
1942–2014Photo: Bob hoskins filming ruby blue.jpg : James Laurence Stewart derivative work: KoS ( talk ) · CC BY 2.0
b. 1973Photo: Kevin Paul · CC BY 4.0
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