Born: 1919 (Tehran, Iran)
Died: 2016
Biography:
Ashraf ol-Molouk Pahlavi was born on October 26, 1919, in Tehran, Iran. She was the twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, and a member of the influential Pahlavi dynasty. Known as the power behind her brother, Ashraf played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Iran during her lifetime.
Ashraf was the daughter of Reza Pahlavi, a military commander who would later become the Shah of Persia, and Tadj ol-Molouk, his second wife. She grew up in a large family, with ten siblings and half-siblings. From an early age, Ashraf and her older sister Shams defied tradition by choosing to abandon the traditional veil, becoming some of the first significant Iranian women to do so in the early 1930s.
In 1932, Ashraf hosted the Second Eastern Women’s Congress, organized by the Jam’iyat-e Nesvan-e Vatankhah, which aimed to promote women’s rights and empowerment in Iran. This early involvement in the women’s movement foreshadowed Ashraf’s lifelong dedication to advocating for gender equality.
However, Ashraf’s opportunities for higher education were limited, and at the age of 18, she was married to Mirza Khan Ghavam, a politically influential figure aligned with her father’s interests. Despite her early marriage, Ashraf continued to play an active role in political affairs, leveraging her connections and influence to support her brother’s rule.
One of the most significant events in Ashraf’s life was her instrumental role in the 1953 coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, who had been consolidating power and challenging the authority of the Shah. As a palace adviser to her brother, Ashraf was approached by the CIA and British intelligence agents who sought her assistance in persuading the Shah to support the coup. With her ability to influence her brother, she convinced him to change his stance and give consent to the operation.
Following the success of the coup, Ashraf continued to serve as a trusted adviser to her brother, advocating for various reform efforts, including women’s rights. She actively promoted the role of women in public society, challenging traditional gender norms in Iran.
However, the crowning achievement of her advocacy for women’s rights was her participation in the Kashf-e hijab (the abolition of the veil) in 1936. Alongside her mother and sister, she unveiled herself during the graduation ceremony of the Tehran Teacher’s College, symbolically challenging the oppressive practice of women wearing veils in public.
Ashraf’s commitment to women’s rights and empowerment extended far beyond her country. She became an inspiration for women in Iran and the wider Middle East, demonstrating that women could play influential roles in society and politics.
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ashraf was forced to live in exile. She relocated to France, New York, Paris, and Monte Carlo, but continued to speak out against the new regime and fight for the rights of women and the preservation of Iranian culture and history.
Ashraf ol-Molouk Pahlavi passed away on January 7, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of courage, determination, and a lifelong dedication to women’s rights. Her contributions to Iranian politics and her advocacy for women’s empowerment continue to inspire generations of women in Iran and beyond.