Alireza Pahlavi: Early Life and Role in the Pahlavi Dynasty
Born on March 1, 1922, in Tehran, Alireza Pahlavi was the second son of Reza Shah, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, and the younger brother of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. The Pahlavi family ascended to power in Iran in 1925 when Reza Shah, a military officer, established a modern monarchy. Reza Shah sought to modernize Iran, implementing reforms that spanned education, infrastructure, and military development. His authoritarian rule was coupled with a strong desire to secure the dynasty’s future through his children, and Alireza was seen as a key figure in that vision.
Alireza was well-educated, receiving both a traditional and modern education, which included time spent abroad studying in Europe. This foreign education was not uncommon among Iran’s elites and helped shape Alireza’s cosmopolitan worldview. He maintained close ties with his older brother, Mohammad Reza, who ascended to the throne after Reza Shah’s abdication in 1941. Although Alireza held no official governmental or military position, he was considered by some as a potential successor should anything happen to Mohammad Reza Shah.