Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran, who ruled from 1941 until his overthrow in 1979. He was born on October 26, 1919, in Tehran, Iran, and belonged to the Pahlavi dynasty. Pahlavi ascended to the throne in 1941 following the abdication of his father, Reza Shah.
During his reign, Pahlavi pursued a modernization program known as the White Revolution, which aimed to rapidly transform Iran into a modern and industrialized nation. This included implementing land reforms, encouraging industrialization, modernizing the armed forces, and granting women voting rights. However, his efforts sparked opposition from various groups, including religious conservatives and secular nationalists who criticized the concentration of power in the monarchy.
Pahlavi's rule was marked by authoritarianism, censorship, and repression of political dissent. The Shah's secret police, known as SAVAK, was notorious for its human rights abuses and suppression of opposition. This led to increasing dissatisfaction amongst the Iranian people, culminating in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which resulted in his overthrow and the establishment of an Islamic republic.
Pahlavi was forced into exile and spent the remainder of his life outside Iran. He sought medical treatment for cancer and died on July 27, 1980, in Cairo, Egypt. His legacy remains controversial, with some viewing him as a modernizing force while others criticize his autocratic rule and close ties to Western powers.
