The lack of clarity regarding Alireza’s burial location has only fueled rumors. While the Rifai Mosque in Cairo does house the grave of Reza Shah and later became the final resting place of Mohammad Reza Shah after his own death in exile, it’s uncertain if Alireza’s remains were moved there. As a result, his grave site remains a mystery, contributing to the enduring intrigue surrounding his life and death.
Succession and Impact of Alireza’s Death
Alireza’s death left the royal family without a crown prince. Although Mohammad Reza Shah was still young and had a direct heir in his son Reza Pahlavi, the loss of Alireza marked a shift in the family’s structure and the Shah’s immediate circle of support. The Pahlavi family was left to grapple with the loss privately while maintaining the appearance of strength in the face of a nation increasingly questioning their rule.
Ali Patrick: The Young Prince’s Future
Alireza Pahlavi’s death left his young son, Ali Patrick Pahlavi, as a potential heir to the Pahlavi legacy. Ali Patrick was just seven years old at the time of his father’s passing. Initially, his mother took him to France, seeking to raise him outside of Iran’s restrictive royal environment. However, Mohammad Reza Shah insisted on his education in Switzerland, and Ali Patrick eventually returned to Iran, where he was raised under the supervision of the royal court. The Shah viewed him as a young man who could potentially embody the Pahlavi lineage and contribute to Iran’s future.