Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Net Worth
Net Worth: $2 Billion (equivalent to $7.2 billion in today’s dollars)
Category: Richest Politicians › Royals
Birthdate: October 26, 1919 – July 27, 1980 (60 years old)
Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
Profession: Former Shah of Iran
Overview
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the last Shah of Iran, ruling from 1941 until the Iranian Revolution in 1979, when he was deposed and the monarchy was abolished. At the height of his reign, he oversaw rapid modernization and economic growth, fueled by Iran’s vast oil wealth. By 1979, he and his family reportedly took $4 billion in assets into exile, with $1 billion of that personally controlled by the Shah.
Sources of Wealth
- Oil Revenue:
- Mohammad Reza controlled the National Iranian Oil Company, one of the world’s largest oil producers.
- In 1962, the company paid $12 million ($117 million today) in monthly dividends to the Shah’s accounts.
- Business Holdings:
- Majority stakes in:
- 17 banks
- 80% of Iran’s largest insurance company
- 10% of General Motors Iran
- Numerous cement, mining, and construction companies.
- Owned 70% of Iran’s hotel rooms and held stakes in every major hotel.
- Internationally, owned 25% of the German steel company Knipp.
- Majority stakes in:
- Pahlavi Foundation:
- Served as a front for managing assets. The foundation’s value and income were notoriously undisclosed, shielding the Shah’s wealth from scrutiny.
Early Life and Education
Born in Tehran, Mohammad Reza was the third child of Reza Shah Pahlavi and Tâdj ol-Molouk. Educated at elite institutions, he studied at:
- Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland.
- A military academy in Tehran, Iran.
Reign as Shah
1941–1960s: Modernization and Power Consolidation
- Ascended the throne in 1941 after his father’s abdication during World War II.
- Played a major role in OPEC and used Iran’s oil wealth to modernize the country.
- Introduced the White Revolution (1963), which:
- Redistributed land.
- Boosted industrialization and literacy.
- Promoted women’s rights and social reforms.
1970s: Economic Growth
- Iran became one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with national income increasing 423-fold.
- Invested billions in infrastructure, military, healthcare, and education.
- By 1977, Iran boasted the world’s fifth-strongest military.
Iranian Revolution and Exile
Mounting dissatisfaction with authoritarian rule, corruption, and economic disparity culminated in the Iranian Revolution (1979).
- Following the Jaleh Square massacre and Cinema Rex fire, widespread protests forced the Shah to flee.
- Lived in exile in various countries, including Egypt, Morocco, and the Bahamas.
Personal Life
Marriages:
- Princess Fawzia of Egypt (1939–1948):
- One daughter, Shahnaz.
- Marriage ended due to infidelity and personal differences.
- Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary (1951–1958):
- No children; marriage dissolved due to infertility.
- Farah Diba (1959–1980):
- Four children: Reza, Farahnaz, Ali, and Leila.
Health and Death:
- Diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia in 1974.
- Passed away in Cairo, Egypt, in 1980 from complications following surgery.
Legacy
Despite his controversial reign, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi left a lasting impact on Iran, transforming it into a modernized, oil-rich nation. However, his authoritarian rule and wealth disparities fueled the revolution that ended the monarchy. His life remains a subject of historical and political debate.
