On June 18, 2025, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last Shah, made headlines. He called for a change in Iran’s government. This news brought attention to his life. Reza Pahlavi is a man with a royal past. He dreams of a free and democratic Iran. This article tells his story in simple words. It covers his birth, family, exile, and his work today.
Early Life and Family
Reza Pahlavi was born on October 31, 1960. His birthplace was Tehran, Iran. He was the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. His mother was Empress Farah Pahlavi. Reza was named the Crown Prince at birth. This meant he was next in line to be king. He grew up in the grand Niavaran Palace. His life was full of luxury. He had four siblings. His sister Farahnaz was born in 1963. His brother Ali Reza was born in 1966 but died in 2011. His sister Leila was born in 1970 but passed away in 2001. He also had a half-sister, Shahnaz, born in 1940 from his father’s first marriage.
Reza’s father ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979. His grandfather, Reza Shah Pahlavi, started the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925. The family was powerful. They modernized Iran. They built roads, schools, and a strong army. But many people were unhappy with their rule. They wanted more freedom.
Education and Training
Reza went to the best schools in Iran. He studied at the Niavaran Palace school. In 1978, at age 17, he left Iran for training. He joined the U.S. Air Force to become a jet fighter pilot. He trained in Texas. This was a proud time for him. He loved flying planes. But his life changed soon after.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Age, Wikipedia , Biography, Net Worth, Religion, Wife, Daughter, Parents, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Reza Pahlavi |
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | Tehran, Iran |
| Parents | Father: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (Shah of Iran) Mother: Farah Pahlavi |
| Siblings | Farahnaz (b. 1963), Ali Reza (1966–2011), Leila (1970–2001), Shahnaz (1940, half-sister) |
| Role in Iran | Crown Prince of Iran (1960–1979) Declared himself Reza Shah II in 1980 |
| Education | Niavaran Palace School, Tehran Political Science at University of Southern California, USA |
| Training | Jet fighter pilot training, U.S. Air Force, Texas (1978) |
| Marriage | Married to Yasmine Pahlavi |
| Children | Three daughters: Noor, Iman, Farah Iman married in Paris, June 2025 |
| Exile | Left Iran in 1978 for training Exiled after Islamic Revolution (1979) |
| Countries Lived In | Morocco, Bahamas, Mexico, Egypt, United States (settled in Maryland, USA) |
| Father’s Death | Mohammad Reza Pahlavi died on July 27, 1980 |
| Current Residence | Maryland, United States |
| Main Goal | Advocates for a democratic, secular Iran with free elections and human rights |
| Key Activities | Speaks against Islamic Republic Active on social media (e.g., X platform) Visited Israel (April 2023) Speeches on BBC, Fox News |
| Recent Event (2025) | On June 18, 2025, called for change in Iran’s government Proposed a 100-day plan for democracy |
| Vision for Iran | Secular government Equal rights for women Friendly relations with other countries |
| Challenges | Long exile (over 40 years) Criticism for being out of touch Opposition from Islamic Republic and other groups |
| Personal Interests | Flying planes, reading history and politics, staying fit |
| Languages Spoken | Persian, English, French |
| Personality | Polite, calm, kind |
The Islamic Revolution and Exile
In 1979, Iran faced a big change. The Islamic Revolution happened. People protested against the Shah’s rule. They wanted a new government. The Shah, Reza’s father, was forced to leave Iran in January 1979. Reza was still in the U.S. He never returned to Iran. The revolution ended the monarchy. A new Islamic Republic was formed. Ayatollah Khomeini became the leader.
The Pahlavi family went into exile. They moved from country to country. They lived in Morocco, the Bahamas, and Mexico. In 1980, they settled in Egypt. Reza’s father was sick with cancer. He died on July 27, 1980. Reza was only 19. After his father’s death, Reza declared himself Reza Shah II. This meant he claimed to be the new Shah. But he had no power. Iran was now ruled by clerics.
Reza moved to the United States. He completed his education there. He studied political science at the University of Southern California. He wanted to understand how governments work. He also got married. His wife is Yasmine Pahlavi. They have three daughters: Noor, Iman, and Farah. His daughter Iman got married in Paris in June 2025. The family lives in Maryland, USA.
Life in Exile
Reza’s life in exile was not easy. He was far from his homeland. He missed Iran. But he did not give up. He decided to fight for a better Iran. He wanted democracy, not monarchy. He stopped calling himself Shah. Instead, he focused on freedom for Iranians.
Reza became a voice for change. He spoke against the Islamic Republic. He said it was unfair to people. He wanted a government chosen by the people. He wrote books and gave speeches. He met world leaders. He used radio and TV to reach Iranians. He told them to dream of a free Iran.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Reza worked quietly. He built a network of supporters. Some Iranians loved him. They saw him as a symbol of the past. Others did not trust him. They remembered his father’s strict rule. Reza knew he had to earn people’s trust.
Recent Activities
In recent years, Reza became more active. He used social media to share his ideas. He posted on X, a popular platform. He spoke about Iran’s problems. He said the Islamic Republic was weak. He believed it would fall soon.
In April 2023, Reza visited Israel. This was a big step. Iran and Israel are enemies. But Reza wanted peace. He met Israeli leaders. He said Iran and Israel could be friends. This made some people angry. A Pakistani official called him names. But Reza stayed calm. He said his goal was a peaceful Iran.
In June 2025, Reza made bold statements. He said Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was hiding. He claimed the government was collapsing. He asked Iranians to rise up. He urged soldiers and police to join the people. He promised a plan for Iran’s future. He said there would be no chaos. He wanted a democratic government. He spoke on TV channels like BBC and Fox News. He also addressed Iranians in Toronto. He said he had a 100-day plan for change.
Reza’s words inspired many. Young Iranians liked his ideas. They wanted freedom. But some opposed him. A group called Mojahedin-e-Khalq said he had no power. They called his father a dictator. Others said Reza was too close to Israel. Despite this, Reza kept working. He believed in his dream.
Vision for Iran
Reza Pahlavi has a clear vision. He wants a secular Iran. This means religion and government should be separate. He wants free elections. He believes in human rights. He says women should have equal rights. He wants Iran to be friends with other countries. He dreams of a strong economy. He says Iranian people should decide their future.
Reza does not want to be king. He says his role is to help Iranians. He wants to unite them. He knows it is hard. Iran has many groups. Some want a king. Others want a republic. Reza says he will support what people choose.
Challenges
Reza faces many challenges. He has been in exile for over 40 years. Many Iranians do not know him. Older people remember his father’s mistakes. They fear change. The Islamic Republic is strong. It has an army and police. It controls the media. Reza’s supporters are scattered. Some live outside Iran. Coordinating them is tough.
Reza also faces criticism. Some say he is out of touch. They think he does not understand Iran today. Others say he is backed by foreign powers. They point to his Israel visit. Reza denies this. He says he works only for Iranians.
Personal Life
Reza is a family man. He loves his wife and daughters. He enjoys simple things. He likes flying planes. He stays fit. He reads books on history and politics. He speaks Persian, English, and French. He is polite and calm. People who meet him say he is kind.
Conclusion
Reza Pahlavi is a man with a mission. Born a prince, he lost his throne. He lived through revolution and exile. Yet, he never gave up. On June 18, 2025, he called for a new Iran. He wants democracy and peace. His journey is long. His path is hard. But he believes in the Iranian people. He hopes they will reclaim their country.
Reza’s story is one of hope. He shows that dreams can survive hardship. He may not see his dream come true. But his voice matters. He reminds the world that Iran’s people deserve freedom. His life is a bridge between Iran’s past and future. Whether he succeeds or not, his story will inspire many.