A Glimpse into the Past: Images of a Former Queen Consort in Rome
Recently published photographs offer a rare look into the life of Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary during her time in Rome in 1964. The images depict the former Queen Consort of Iran in a private, informal setting.
A Private Moment
The two pictures, said to have been seldom seen by the public, show Ms. Esfandiary-Bakhtiary with her pet dog in the gardens of a residence. The candid nature of the photographs provides a personal glimpse of a historical figure away from official duties.
Historical Context
Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary was married to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the former Shah of Iran, from 1951 until their divorce in 1958. The released images are from several years after the dissolution of their marriage, capturing a period of her life following her tenure as Queen Consort. The publication of such archival material serves to highlight a chapter of Iran’s modern history.