Patrick Ali Pahlavi is a member of the Pahlavi dynasty and a figure associated with the complicated question of succession to the Iranian throne after the fall of the monarchy in 1979. His life has been shaped by his family’s position within Iran’s former imperial system, disputes surrounding succession, opposition to the government of his uncle Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, imprisonment, exile, and a long personal exploration of different religious and spiritual traditions.
His position within the former Pahlavi line of succession has remained disputed. According to accounts concerning the former Iranian constitution, Patrick Ali was first in the line of succession from 1954 until 1960, when the birth of his cousin Reza Pahlavi changed the succession. Decades later, following the death of another cousin, Ali Reza Pahlavi, Patrick Ali became associated with claims that he was heir presumptive to the headship of the former dynasty. However, this position has been challenged by Reza Pahlavi, who has identified his own daughter, Noor Pahlavi, in connection with the succession question. Because the Iranian monarchy was abolished following the 1979 revolution, these claims concern the leadership and dynastic traditions of a former royal house rather than an existing constitutional throne.
Family Background
Patrick Ali Pahlavi was born in Paris, France. He was the son of Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi, the second son of Reza Shah Pahlavi, founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, and Christiane Cholewski, also rendered in some sources as Choleski. His mother was French and of Polish descent.
