Pahlavi obtained a BSc degree in political science by correspondence from the University of Southern California in 1985. He is fluent in English and French in addition to his native Persian.Reza Pahlavi came to Cairo, Egypt, in March 1980 with his family. When his father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was ill and in the last weeks of his life, media reported that some monarchist elements had advised the Shah to oust Reza in favor of his younger son Ali-Reza (who was 13 at the time) and a regency council, suggesting that Reza’s background, training and interest in public affairs is too limited to become his successor.