Mehrdad Pahlbod (16, 1917 – August 9, 2018) was an royal and politician who served as the first culture minister of Persia from 1964 until the 1978. Mehrdad Pahlbod, born as Ezatollah Minbashian , was also the second husband of Princess Shams Pahlavi. The couple secretly converted to Christianity in the 1950s in Egypt. Pahlbod advocated for music education, theater productions, and the inclusion of modern arts in academic curricula, bridging traditional and contemporary forms.
After the 1979 Revolution, Pahlbod continued to influence Iranian cultural life from abroad, particularly within the diaspora community in Los Angeles. His memoirs, interviews, and philanthropic work preserved the memory of vibrant pre-revolutionary arts scene. Mehrdad Pahlbod’s life reflects a unique combination of artistic talent, administrative skill, and cultural vision.
