Born: 1896
Died: 1982
Biography:
Tâdj ol-Molouk was born on March 17, 1896, as the daughter of Brigadier General Teymr Khan Ayromlou and his wife, Malek os-Soltan. She belonged to the Turkic Ayrum tribe. In 1916, Tâdj ol-Molouk married Reza Khan, a military officer. Their marriage was arranged and proved to be beneficial for Reza Khan’s military career due to the connections of Tâdj ol-Molouk’s father.
Tâdj ol-Molouk and Reza Khan had four children together: Shams, Mohammad Reza, Ashraf, and Ali Reza. Mohammad Reza later became the last Shah of Iran.
On February 23, 1921, Reza Khan seized power in a coup in Tehran. He declared himself Shahanshah (King of Kings) on December 15, 1925. With this new title, Tâdj ol-Molouk was granted the title of Maleke (Queen). However, at this point, Tâdj ol-Molouk did not live with Reza Shah. He reportedly devoted his time to his other wives, Turan Amirsoleimani and, from 1923, Esmat Dowlatshahi.
Despite not involving herself in politics on her own initiative, Tâdj ol-Molouk played a crucial role as Queen during her husband’s reign. Her position as Queen signified an important role in Reza Shah’s policies regarding women. Tâdj ol-Molouk became the first Queen of Iran after the Muslim conquest in the seventh century to participate in public royal representation.
Her role as a queen participating in public representational duties held great significance within the new policy of women’s role in Iran. Reza Shah aimed to increase women’s participation in society as a method of modernization, following the example of Turkey. Tâdj ol-Molouk’s involvement in public society represented an important step in achieving this goal. She paved the way for future queens in Iran to actively participate in public life.
In 1928, Tâdj ol-Molouk visited the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom as part of her pilgrimage. During this visit, she wore a veil that did not fully cover her face, which sparked criticism from a cleric. In response, Reza Shah publicly beat the cleric who had criticized the queen the following day.
Tâdj ol-Molouk also played a significant role in the abolition of the veil in Iran during the 1930s. This reform allowed female teachers and students to unveil and study alongside men. However, it faced opposition and criticism from the Shia clergy.
Tâdj ol-Molouk’s influence extended beyond her public representation and involvement in women’s rights. She played a vital role in shaping the image of the Iranian royal family, both domestically and internationally. Her interactions with foreign dignitaries showcased a modern and progressive Iran, aligning with her husband’s vision of modernization.
After Reza Shah was forced into exile in 1941, Tâdj ol-Molouk accompanied him to South Africa. She remained loyal to her husband throughout his exile and supported him until his death in 1944. Following his death, Tâdj ol-Molouk returned to Iran and lived a more private life.
Tâdj ol-Molouk passed away on March 10, 1982, leaving behind a legacy as the first queen in Iran after the Muslim conquest to actively participate in public royal representation. Her role in the kashf-e hijab (ban of the veil) and her contributions to women’s rights remain noteworthy in Iranian history.