1. Overview
Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi (عصمتالملوک دولتشاهیPersian) was an Iranian royal, born in 1905. She was the fourth and final wife of Reza Shah, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty and Shah of Iran. Her life spanned significant periods of Iranian history, from the late Qajar dynasty through the Pahlavi era and into the Islamic Republic. This article details her early life as a member of the Qajar dynasty, her marriage to Reza Shah, her role within the royal family, her experiences during Reza Shah's exile, and her later life in Iran, including her remarriage and eventual death in 1995.
2. Early Life and Background
Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi was born in 1905. She hailed from the prominent Qajar dynasty, which had ruled Iran prior to the Pahlavi era. Her father was Gholam Ali Mirza "Mojalal Dowleh" Dowlatshahi (1878-1934), also known as Prince Gholam Ali Mirza Dowlatshahi. Her mother was Mobtahedj-od-Dowleh, who was the daughter of Ebtehadj Saltaneh and Abou Nasr Mirza Hessam Saltaneh II. Her paternal grandfather was Hessam-Saltaneh I. Esmat ol-Molouk had two brothers and one sister, Ashraf Saltaneh II. Her cousin was Mehrangiz Dowlatshahi, a notable figure who became a member of the Majlis of Iran and later an Iranian ambassador. In her youth, Esmat ol-Molouk was regarded as a woman of exceptional qualities, noted for her perfect appearance, graceful demeanor, and refined social manners.
3. Marriage to Reza Shah
Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi married Reza Shah in 1923. She became his fourth and last wife, and was reportedly his favorite. At the time of their marriage, Reza Shah held the position of Minister of War. Two years later, in 1925, he ascended to the throne, becoming the Shah of Iran. From their union, five children were born: Abdul Reza Pahlavi, Ahmad Reza Pahlavi, Mahmoud Reza Pahlavi, Fatemeh Pahlavi, and Hamid Reza Pahlavi.
4. Life as Queen Consort
Following her marriage to Reza Shah, Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi and their children resided in the Marble Palace in Tehran. As a consort, her life was primarily centered within the royal family's private sphere. While she was a wife of the Shah, it was his second wife, Tadj ol-Molouk, who was given the more prominent public role as queen. This arrangement reportedly caused unhappiness for Tadj ol-Molouk, who expressed her jealousy of Dowlatshahi in her memoirs. Despite not having a public-facing role, Esmat ol-Molouk remained an integral part of the royal household, raising her five children with the Shah.
5. Exile and Return to Iran
In September 1941, during World War II, Reza Shah was forced into exile by the Allied powers. Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi accompanied her husband during this difficult period, traveling with him to Mauritius. However, her stay in exile was relatively brief. After only a few months, she returned to Iran, while Reza Shah continued his exile to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he eventually died.
6. Later Life and Post-Revolution Years
After the death of Reza Shah in 1944, Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi remarried Mohsen Razi. This second marriage led to a temporary change in her status, as she initially relinquished her royal title and reverted to the status of a commoner. However, the government later reinstated her royal rank, acknowledging her as a former consort and, importantly, as the mother of the Shah's children, particularly since she did not have children with her new husband, Mohsen Razi.
She continued to live in Iran even after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a period when many members of the former royal family chose to leave the country. On June 16, 1980, she visited the Museum of Reza Shah Pahlavi in Johannesburg, South Africa, which held artifacts and memories related to her late husband.
7. Death
Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi died on July 25, 1995, at the age of 90. Her long life spanned nearly a century, witnessing profound transformations in Iran. She was laid to rest in the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran, a large public cemetery that is also the burial place of many other notable Iranian figures.
8. Assessment and Legacy
Esmat ol-Molouk Dowlatshahi's historical significance primarily stems from her position as the fourth and last wife of Reza Shah and the mother of five of his children, who were members of the Pahlavi dynasty. While detailed public assessments of her life and specific contributions are limited in historical records, her role as a royal consort and her presence within the inner circle of the Pahlavi court during its formative years are notable. Her decision to remain in Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution also distinguishes her from many other members of the former royal family.