In the early hours of October 31, 1960, the streets of Tehran buzzed with anticipation. Inside the Mother’s Aid Society Hospital, Empress Farah Diba, then 22, was about to make history. Her delivery of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi not only fulfilled the Shah’s long-held desire for a male heir but also marked a pivotal moment in monarchy. Farah Diba’s pregnancy was met with national excitement. The Shah himself drove her to the hospital, a rare and personal gesture. As she gave birth, Dr. Jahanshah Saleh, the Shah’s obstetrician and Minister of Health, announced, “It’s a boy!” The news was met with jubilation.
The Shah declared a two-day national holiday, a 20% income tax cut, and amnesty for 98 prisoners. Tehran erupted in celebration, with cannons firing and crowds pouring into the streets to honor the new heir. The royal household spared no expense in preparing for the birth. Empress Farah, known for her elegance and poise, was adorned in a custom Yves Saint Laurent for Dior gown embroidered with Persian motifs. The gown featured a fur-lined train and hidden blue hems, a traditional symbol of good luck for the birth of a son. She wore the Noor-ul-Ain Tiara, a gift from the Shah, which contained one of the world’s largest pink diamonds .
