Ashraf Pahlavi
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Born on October 26th, 1919, H.I.H. Princess (Shahdokht) Ashraf ul-Mulk (H.I.H. Princess Ashraf Pahlavi) was the twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran and the Pahlavi Dynasty.
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[edit] Involvement in 1953 Coup against Mossadegh
In 1953, Ashraf Pahlavi played an important role in Operation Ajax as she was the one who changed Mohammad Reza Shah's mind in giving the consent to CIA and SIS to start the operation. The Shah had originally opposed the operation and for awhile resisted accepting it.
In early 1953, she met with CIA agents who asked her to talk to her brother since she was the only one who was able to change his mind. After the operations were complete, she received a mink coat and more than $10,000 USD.
[edit] Notable Positions Held
- Honorary President of Red Lion and Sun Organization, 1944
- United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, 1970
- Member of the Consultative Committee of International Women's Year Conference, 1975
- President of the Women's Organization Of Iran, 1967-1979
- Chairwoman of the Imperial Foundation for Social Services
- Honorary Fellow of the Wadham College of Oxford
[edit] Awards and honors
- The Order of the Ref Flag of Labour of USSR, July 1946
- The Pleiades 2nd Class, 1957
- The order of Aryamehr 2nd Class, September 26th, 1967
[edit] Marriages
To: Ali Qavam
Children
- Shahram Pahlavi-Nia
To: Ahmad Shafiq
Children
- Shahriar Shafiq
- Azadeh Shafiq
To: Mehdi Bushehri
[edit] Books
Ashraf Pahlavi has written two books:
- Faces in a Mirror: Memoirs from Exile, Published 1980
- Time for Truth, Published 1995
