Empress’s love of Iran, the Shah everlasting

PERSONALITY: The beauty and serenity that once made Her Imperial Majesty Farah Pahlavi, Shahbanou (Empress) of Iran a magazine cover favorite has hardly changed in the 25 years since she and her husband, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, were swept from power by an Islamic revolution that changed their ancient land and, as it turned out, the world as well.

THE SCENE: Wearing a tailored pantsuit with gold button earrings of Persian motif, her golden brown hair perfectly coifed, the elegant Shahbanou, 65, gracefully descends onto a settee to discuss her recently published autobiography, “An Enduring Love: My Life With the Shah,” in the ultramodern living room of her substantial — though hardly palatial — home in Potomac, where she moved two years ago to be closer to her eldest son, Prince Reza Pahlavi, his wife, Yasmine, and their three daughters.

Q: What kind of a man was the Shah?

A: He loved his country and his people and wanted to bring progress and development to Iran, which he did. He was civilized, kind, just and patient and never showed any temper. He was a good father to his children, although unfortunately he didn’t have as much time to spend with them as he would have liked. He was also a loving husband, and I am so grateful that he allowed me, as a woman, and as his wife, to [participate] in so many activities in that period. As time passes, I have even more admiration for him.

Q: It must have been very difficult to go from your student life in Paris to the royal court, where you were the center of attention.

A: Like any woman entering a new family, I had to be very careful … I’m not a person who likes intrigue. I put myself above it. It was more important to try to make a harmonious life for my husband, and I had his love and support. I was lucky.

Q: There were intrigues and betrayals of a different sort after you left Iran.

A: During difficult periods … those who have been close to you can change — that happens when you lose your power. But I couldn’t let myself be dragged down where they wanted to drag me.

Q: You write that your wanderings from place to place were “awful, humiliating and soul-destroying” until you finally found haven in Egypt.

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