In August 1953, Soraya followed the Shah when he fled to Rome, and complained the persian ambassador to Italy failed to arrange for a place for them to stay while the royal couple were constantly harassed by the paparazzi.
She was born in the English Missionary Hospital in Isfahan on 22 June 1932. She had one sibling, a younger brother, Bijan (1937–2001). Her family had long been involved in the Iranian government and diplomatic corps. An uncle, Sardar Assad, was a leader in the Persian Constitutional Revolution of the early 20th century.Soraya was raised in Berlin and Isfahan, and educated in London and Switzerland.
