His upbringing in Beirut occurred at a time when many members of the Qajar family were scattered across the Middle East and Europe. Despite the hardship of exile, the family preserved a strong sense of cultural identity and historical consciousness. These themes would later become central to Soltan Ali Mirza’s intellectual work.
Education and Academic Career
Shortly after his birth, Soltan Ali Mirza’s family moved to Paris, France. By the time he was 18 months old, he had already begun a life far removed from his Iranian roots—at least geographically. Paris remained his home for the next seventy years, becoming the backdrop for his education, career, and cultural activities.
Soltan Ali Mirza earned a doctorate in economics from the University of Paris, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Europe. His academic discipline signaled a shift from the traditional military or political roles held by previous Qajar princes. Instead of attempting to reclaim the throne or involve himself in active politics, he focused on intellectual and economic studies.
Though details about his economic career are less widely known, his doctoral degree and life in France suggest he moved in elite academic and professional circles. Unlike other exiled royals who faded into obscurity, he maintained a respectable profile and used his platform to research and reflect on the history of his family and Iran as a whole.