# Ashraf Pahlavi

> Iranian royal (1919–2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q2419984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2419984)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashraf_Pahlavi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ashraf-pahlavi

## Summary
Ashraf Pahlavi was an Iranian royal, diplomat, and advocate for women's rights and public health, best known as the twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. Born in 1919, she played a significant role in modernizing Iran through her diplomatic work, nursing advocacy, and cultural initiatives before the 1979 revolution. Her efforts earned her international recognition, including several state honors.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1919 (exact date and place not specified)  
- **Nationality**: Iranian  
- **Website**: https://princessashrafpahlavi.org/  
- **Known for**: Diplomatic career, advocacy for women's rights and public health, and royal lineage  
- **Employer(s)/Affiliations**: Iranian government, international diplomatic corps  
- **Field(s)**: Diplomacy, nursing, women's advocacy, translation  

## Contributions
- **Diplomatic Work**: Served as a diplomat for Iran, fostering international relations.  
- **Nursing Advocacy**: Founded the Iranian Nurses Association and promoted public health initiatives.  
- **Translations and Writing**: Translated literary works and authored memoirs documenting her life and Iran's history.  
- **Awards**: Received the Florence Nightingale Medal (International Red Cross) for nursing contributions.  

## FAQs
**Q: What was Ashraf Pahlavi's connection to the Iranian royal family?**  
A: She was the twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979, and a prominent figure in the Pahlavi dynasty.  

**Q: What roles did Ashraf Pahlavi hold beyond her royal title?**  
A: She worked as a diplomat, nurse, writer, and translator, advocating for women's education and healthcare reform in Iran.  

**Q: What notable awards did Ashraf Pahlavi receive?**  
A: She was honored with the Order of the Red Banner of Labour (Soviet Union), Order of the Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia), Order of the Star of Ghana, Order of the Star of Africa (Liberia), and the Florence Nightingale Medal.  

**Q: Where did Ashraf Pahlavi live after the 1979 Iranian Revolution?**  
A: She moved into exile, primarily residing in the United States and Europe until her death in 2016.  

## Why They Matter
Ashraf Pahlavi's dual role as a royal and a reformer left a lasting impact on Iran's modernization efforts, particularly in women's empowerment and public health. Her diplomatic engagements strengthened Iran's international ties, while her advocacy challenged traditional norms. Without her efforts, Iran's pre-revolution progress in healthcare and women's rights might have been less pronounced, and her memoirs remain a critical historical resource.

## Notable For
- Recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal for nursing excellence.  
- Founder of the Iranian Nurses Association.  
- Holder of state honors from the Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Liberia.  
- Author of memoirs detailing Iran's 20th-century history and royal life.  
- Twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.  

## Body

### Early Life and Royal Lineage  
Ashraf Pahlavi was born in 1919 as the twin sister of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who later became the Shah of Iran. Her birth into the Pahlavi dynasty positioned her as a key figure in Iran's modern history.  

### Career and Advocacy  
- **Diplomacy**: She served as a diplomat, representing Iran in international forums and fostering diplomatic relations.  
- **Nursing and Public Health**: A trained nurse, she founded the Iranian Nurses Association and promoted healthcare reforms, earning the Florence Nightingale Medal.  
- **Women's Rights**: She advocated for women's education and legal rights, aligning with Iran's mid-20th-century modernization campaigns.  
- **Literary Work**: She translated texts and wrote memoirs, preserving historical insights into Iran's royal era.  

### Awards and International Recognition  
Ashraf Pahlavi received several international honors:  
- **Order of the Red Banner of Labour** (Soviet Union, established 1928).  
- **Order of the Queen of Sheba** (Ethiopia, established 1922).  
- **Order of the Star of Ghana** (established 1960).  
- **Order of the Star of Africa** (Liberia, established 1920).  
- **Florence Nightingale Medal** (International Red Cross, established 1912).  

### Exile and Later Life  
Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy, Ashraf Pahlavi moved into exile. She continued advocating for Iranian cultural preservation and women's rights until her death in 2016.  

### Legacy  
Ashraf Pahlavi's legacy is marked by her efforts to bridge traditional and modern Iran, particularly through healthcare and women's empowerment. Her diplomatic career and memoirs provide a unique lens into Iran's pre-revolutionary era, while her international awards underscore her global influence.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. [Recipients of the Florence Nightingale Medal, 1920-2023](https://blogs.icrc.org/cross-files/wp-content/uploads/sites/106/2024/09/List-of-Florence-Nightingale-Medal-recipients-1920-2023.pdf)
3. [Source](https://library.icrc.org/library/docs/DOC/CIRC_1942_1952.pdf)
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
7. SNAC
8. Find a Grave
9. Munzinger Personen
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. IdRef