Maryam Eghbal was the daughter of Manouchehr Eghbal, who served as Prime Minister during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Growing up in a politically influential family, Maryam was part of elite social and political environment during the mid-20th century. She later married Shahriar Shafigh, a member of the royal family and an officer in the Imperial Navy. Shahriar was the son of Ashraf Pahlavi, making him the nephew of the Shah.
Shahriar Shafigh was known for his role in the Navy during a time when the country was investing heavily in military modernization. Under the Pahlavi, the navy was expanding its capabilities in the Persian Gulf, and officers like Shafigh represented a new generation of Western-trained military leadership. He was regarded as disciplined and committed to strengthening maritime presence, reflecting the Shah’s broader vision of turning into a regional power.
