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 was not just a statesman and cultural visionary—he was also a man of deep personal convictions and unique experiences. He was married to Princess Shams Pahlavi, the elder sister of Mohammad Reza Shah. Their union connected him to the royal family, giving him both influence and responsibility in shaping cultural policies.
Despite his high-profile position, he was known for his humility and dedication to the arts rather than personal power. In the 1950s, while living in Egypt, he and his wife converted to Catholic Christianity, a private decision that reflected their cosmopolitan outlook and personal convictions.
