After the Shah’s death in July 1980, Empress Farah Pahlavi remained in Egypt for several months. The loss of her husband, coupled with the collapse of the monarchy, left her in profound grief. Yet amid sorrow, she found comfort in the kindness of President Anwar Sadat and First Lady Jehan Sadat, who treated her not merely as a guest, but as family. The Sadats offered Farah a private residence in Cairo, ensuring her safety and dignity while she mourned. Jehan Sadat later recalled in interviews that she and Farah shared long conversations about loss, exile, and the heavy burden of leadership.
Both women were symbols of elegance and resilience in their own ways—one a widow of a martyred Egyptian president, the other an exiled empress whose dynasty had vanished overnight. During her time in Cairo, Farah often visited her husband’s tomb at Al-Rifai Mosque, bringing flowers and spending quiet moments in reflection. Egyptian photographers occasionally captured her visits—dressed in black, standing silently beside the marble sarcophagus inscribed with the Shah’s name in Persian script. These images became enduring symbols of loyalty and love amid the ruins of monarchy.
