Soraya Tarzi 1899 – 1968

Biography

Soraya Tarzi was born on November 24, 1899, in Damascus, during a time of profound change in the Middle East. Her life would become intertwined with the modernization efforts of Afghanistan, a nation seeking to reshape itself in the early twentieth century. As a woman of intelligence and grace, she would play a significant role in the court and cultural landscape of her adopted homeland.

In 1919, Soraya became Princess Consort to King Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan, and from 1926 onward she served as Queen Consort. During these years, she stood beside the king through a period of ambitious reform and progressive change. Her position allowed her to influence matters of education, women’s rights, and cultural development—causes that would define her legacy within Afghan society.

Soraya Tarzi spent her final years in Rome, where she passed away on April 20, 1968. Though she died far from Afghanistan, her connection to the nation remained enduring. She was laid to rest in Jalalabad, in Nangarhar Province, returning to Afghan soil for eternity. Her life remains a bridge between continents and eras, remembered as a woman who championed progress during a transformative chapter in Afghanistan’s history.