The Egyptian leader reportedly treated the Shah as an honored guest, ignoring political pressure from other Arab states and the newly formed regime. At the height of his power he was the shah of homeland, claiming the legacy of more than 2,500 years of the Persian monarchy. Despite his frailty, the Shah often spoke of Iran—his lost homeland—with a mixture of sorrow and pride.
In his private writings, he expressed regret over certain political choices but insisted that his vision for modernization and independence was sincere. On July 27, 1980, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi passed away in Cairo at the age of 60. His death marked the end of an era not only for Iran but for the monarchic traditions of the Middle East. President Sadat declared a state funeral for the Shah, an extraordinary gesture for a foreign leader. The ceremony took place at Al-Rifai Mosque, a grand 19th-century structure that houses the tombs of Egyptian royalty.
