Return to Civilian Life and Education
Following Reza Shah’s death, Abdolreza moved to the United States to pursue higher education. In keeping with his father’s legacy of modernization and ambition, he enrolled at Harvard University to study economics. The choice of Harvard was not incidental—it symbolized a transition from royal tradition to modern intellectualism.
Despite being the son of a deposed monarch, Abdolreza maintained a low profile during his time at Harvard. He immersed himself in his studies and avoided political activity. He graduated in 1947 and returned to Iran shortly afterward. However, unlike his elder half-brother who was now king, Abdolreza was not drawn into the corridors of political power.
Instead, he was given a ceremonial role as honorary chairman of the government’s Seven-Year Plan, a state development project aimed at industrialization and infrastructure expansion. Though the position sounded significant, it was largely symbolic and did not place him at the center of national planning.
