Soraya Esfandiari-Bakhtiari 1932 – 2001

Biography

Soraya Esfandiari-Bakhtiari was born on June 22, 1932, at Isa ibn Maryam Hospital. She lived a life of distinction and historical significance, serving as Queen consort of Iran during a pivotal period in the nation’s modern history, from 1951 to 1958. During these years, she held an important place in Iran’s royal court and public life.

After her time as Queen consort ended, Soraya continued to live a private life away from the spotlight. On October 25, 2001, she passed away in Paris at an advanced age, her death resulting from a stroke. Her passing marked the end of an era for those who remembered her role in Iran’s twentieth-century history.

Soraya was laid to rest at Westfriedhof in Munich, Germany, where her memory is preserved. She remains a figure of historical interest to those who study Iran’s royal heritage and the transformative decades of the mid-twentieth century. Her life spanned nearly seven decades, connecting two very different worlds and eras.