Soraya, Queen Of Iran: The Empress With Sad Eyes

**Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary, often remembered as Soraya, Queen of Iran, was a figure of immense beauty and profound sorrow, whose life story reads like a tragic epic. Born into a world of privilege and destined for royalty, her journey from a young woman in Isfahan to the Shahbanu of Iran captivated global attention, yet ultimately unfolded into a narrative marked by heartbreak and the poignant epithet, "the princess with the sad eyes."** Her brief but impactful reign as the second wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, from 1951 to 1958, was a period of both dazzling public appearances and intense personal pressures, particularly the insurmountable challenge of infertility that would irrevocably alter her destiny and the course of her life.

Table of Contents

• Early Life and Unexpected Destiny
• A Royal Wedding and the Weight of the Crown
  • The Christian Dior Gown and 20 Million Subjects
• The Empress with Sad Eyes: A Reign Defined by Pressure
  • From Tehran to Exile: A Brief Escape
• The Unbearable Burden of Infertility and Divorce
  • The End of a Reign, The Birth of a Princess
• Life After the Throne: Seeking Solace and Purpose
• Legacy of a Queen: Beauty, Sorrow, and Enduring Fascination
  • Memoirs and Public Perception
• Personal Data: Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary
• Conclusion

Early Life and Unexpected Destiny

Born Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary on June 22, 1932, in Isfahan, Iran, her early life offered little indication of the royal path she would eventually tread. She was the eldest child and only daughter of Khalil Esfandiary, a distinguished representative of the noble Bakhtiari tribe from southern Iran, who later served as Iran's ambassador to West Germany. Her mother was Eva Karl. Soraya's upbringing was a blend of Iranian heritage and European influence, as she was educated in Isfahan, England, and Switzerland. This diverse background undoubtedly shaped her cosmopolitan outlook and graceful demeanor. It was in 1948 that fate intervened. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, recently separated from his first wife, Princess Fawzia of Egypt, was seeking a new queen. Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary never imagined that one day she would marry Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and that she would reign over her country, Iran. Yet, all it took was one photograph of Soraya, for the Queen Mother, to make her the chosen one for her son. Her striking beauty, already a topic of admiration in Iranian society, had caught the eye of the royal family, setting the stage for a courtship that would lead her to become the next Soraya, Queen of Iran.

A Royal Wedding and the Weight of the Crown

The engagement of Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary to the Shah was announced, and the nation eagerly awaited the union. The wedding itself was a grand affair, a spectacle befitting a monarch and his chosen queen. On February 12, 1951, Soraya married, in a Christian Dior creation, a gown that would become iconic, symbolizing the opulence and grandeur of the Pahlavi dynasty. With this marriage, she became the Queen of Iran’s 20 million subjects, stepping into a role of immense responsibility and public scrutiny at a very young age.

The Christian Dior Gown and 20 Million Subjects

The gown, a masterpiece of haute couture, was more than just a dress; it was a symbol of the new era and the modern aspirations of Iran under the Shah. Adorned with pearls, diamonds, and marabou feathers, it weighed so much that Soraya reportedly struggled to move in it. This detail, while seemingly minor, perhaps foreshadowed the heavy burden she would carry as the Soraya, Queen of Iran. Her marriage to the Shah and subsequent life events captivated the world, earning her the moniker "the princess with the sad eyes." Despite the initial joy and splendor, the pressures of royal life, combined with the expectations placed upon a queen consort, began to manifest early in her reign.

The Empress with Sad Eyes: A Reign Defined by Pressure

Soraya was Queen for just seven years, from 1951 to 1958. During this period, her life was a whirlwind of official duties, state visits, and public appearances, all under the intense glare of the world's media. Her beauty was widely mentioned and admired, yet behind the dazzling facade, the marriage suffered many pressures. The most significant of these was the inability to produce an heir. The succession was paramount for the Pahlavi dynasty, and as years passed without a child, the strain on the royal couple grew immense.

From Tehran to Exile: A Brief Escape

Just two years into her reign, in 1953, a political crisis saw Soraya and the Shah flee Tehran for Iraq and Italy. This brief period of exile, though temporary, offered a glimpse into the precarious nature of their power and the constant political turmoil that simmered beneath the surface of Iranian society. Upon their return, the challenges persisted, particularly the mounting pressure for a royal heir. This period of instability only amplified the personal anxieties of the Soraya, Queen of Iran.

The Unbearable Burden of Infertility and Divorce

The central tragedy of Soraya's life as queen was her infertility. Despite numerous medical consultations and attempts, it became clear that she could not bear children. For a monarch whose primary duty was to secure the lineage of the throne, this was an insurmountable obstacle. The pressures on the marriage intensified dramatically, not just from within the royal family but from the political establishment and the deeply traditional society of Iran. The future of the Pahlavi dynasty hinged on an heir, and without one from Soraya, the Shah faced an agonizing choice.

The End of a Reign, The Birth of a Princess

Just seven years after their lavish wedding, in 1958, the couple divorced. This decision, heartbreaking for both the Shah and Soraya, was made for the sake of the Iranian throne. Upon the divorce, Soraya ceased being a queen, but a day later she was granted the personal style and title Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya of Iran. This gesture, while retaining a connection to her former life, could not erase the profound sadness of her lost queenship and the personal sacrifice she had made. It was at this point that she truly inherited the epithet ‘the princess with the sad eyes’, a title that would follow her for the rest of her life, symbolizing her tragic fate.

Life After the Throne: Seeking Solace and Purpose

After her divorce, Princess Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary embarked on a new chapter of her life, largely in Europe. She attempted to forge a new identity, away from the intense scrutiny of royal life. She even ventured into acting, appearing in a few films, though her cinematic career never truly flourished. Her public appearances remained frequent, and she continued to be a figure of fascination, her beauty undiminished but often accompanied by a melancholic air that seemed to confirm her famous moniker. Despite the glamour and freedom that came with her post-royal life, a sense of loneliness and unfulfillment often permeated her existence. This mini documentary delves deeply into the tragic and lonely life of Queen Soraya of Iran, the second wife of Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. Her story continued to resonate with people worldwide, a testament to the enduring power of her personal tragedy. She was widely condemned for the immorality of wearing her swimsuit, which was not considered a proper dress for a Muslim, and the photo was banned in Iran in an attempt to silence the criticism of the ulema. This incident highlighted the cultural clash she often navigated and the public scrutiny that followed her, even after her divorce.

Legacy of a Queen: Beauty, Sorrow, and Enduring Fascination

Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary died on October 26, 2001, in her apartment in Paris, France, at the age of 69. Princess Soraya Esfandiari Bakhtiari, the second wife of the former Shah of Iran, had lived a life that was both extraordinarily public and deeply private, marked by both immense privilege and profound personal loss. Her legacy is complex: she is remembered as Shahbanu (Queen) of Iran, the second wife of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, and an actress. But above all, she is remembered as "the queen of sorrow," the beautiful "princess with sad eyes" whose life encapsulated the fragility of power and the pain of unfulfilled dreams.

Memoirs and Public Perception

Princess Soraya wrote two memoirs. The first, published in 1964 and released in the United States by Doubleday, was titled "Princess Soraya: Autobiography of Her Imperial Highness." These memoirs offered her personal perspective on her life, her marriage, and the challenges she faced, providing invaluable insight into the inner world of the Soraya, Queen of Iran. They allowed her to share her side of the story, shedding light on the personal sacrifices made for the sake of the throne and the deep emotional toll of her divorce. Her story continues to be a subject of documentaries, books, and articles, ensuring that the legacy of Soraya, Queen of Iran, endures.

Personal Data: Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary

Full Name:	Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary (ثريا اسفندیاری بختیاری)
Born:	June 22, 1932, Isfahan, Iran
Died:	October 26, 2001 (aged 69), Paris, France
Spouse:	Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (m. 1951; div. 1958)
Title:	Queen Consort of Iran (1951-1958), Her Imperial Highness Princess Soraya of Iran (post-divorce)
Parents:	Khalil Esfandiary-Bakhtiary (father), Eva Karl (mother)
Education:	Isfahan, England, Switzerland
Known For:	Second wife of the last Shah of Iran, "The Princess with Sad Eyes," actress

Conclusion

The story of Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary, the Soraya, Queen of Iran, is a poignant narrative of love, duty, and sacrifice. From her unexpected ascent to the throne to her heartbreaking divorce due to infertility, her life was a testament to the immense pressures and personal costs of royalty. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty who carried a profound sadness, a figure who captivated the world with her elegance and vulnerability. Her legacy as "the princess with the sad eyes" continues to resonate, reminding us that even in the most gilded cages, human emotions and personal struggles remain universally relatable. Her memoirs offer a unique window into her soul, allowing us to understand the woman behind the crown. What are your thoughts on Soraya's life and legacy? Share your reflections in the comments below. If you found this article insightful, consider sharing it with others who might be interested in the fascinating history of Iran's royalty. For more historical accounts of influential figures, explore other articles on our site.