Leila was born on March 27, 1970, in a military hospital in Tehran, which was subsequently renamed in her honor. By the time of her birth, her mother had already welcomed two sons and a daughter, alleviating any concerns about producing a male heir. Farah Pahlavi aimed to provide Leila with as normal a childhood as possible, though reality often diverged from this ideal. Three years prior to Leila's arrival, Farah had been crowned Shabanu of Iran, and the Shah declared that if he were to die or become incapacitated before their Crown Prince turned 21, Farah would assume the role of Regentan unprecedented move in an Islamic nation. This led Farah to become increasingly involved in public affairs, particularly concerning women's rights and cultural development, resulting in long work hours that limited her time with her children. Nevertheless, both Farah and the Shah made concerted efforts to spend time with Leila and her siblings, who enjoyed a relatively peaceful life in the palace in Northern Tehran.
As Leila entered kindergarten, the Iranian court arranged a special class for her alongside children from the Shah's circle and the nobility, some of whom became lifelong friends. Friends later described Leila as a spirited and adventurous child, excelling in swimming, horseback riding, and cycling. The Shah doted on his youngest daughter, allowing her to visit him in his office at any time, even during meetings with foreign dignitaries. However, the family's happiness was short-lived, as economic decline and political unrest began to take hold in Iran during the mid-1970s. The tragic fire at Cinema Rex in August 1978 ignited widespread protests and strikes across the country.
By the end of 1978, the Shah and Farah sent their eldest children abroad while the rest of the family sought refuge in the Naivaran Palace. Leila and her brother Ali Riza often heard crowds chanting against their father. In January 1979, amid escalating violence, the Shah, suffering from severe lymphoma, and Farah fled to Egypt, while Leila traveled separately to Texas with her grandmother.
The ensuing months were fraught with danger as Ayatollah Khomeini's followers sought to harm them. The family faced constant upheaval, moving between various countries during their exile, while the Shah's health continued to deteriorate. The children remained in the United States, occasionally reuniting with their parents under precarious circumstances. At just 10 years old, Leila experienced profound anxiety when she awoke to find her parents missing, leading to nightly phone calls filled with distress over her father's condition.
In March 1980, the family finally reunited in Egypt, but their joy was short-lived; the Shah passed away shortly thereafter. Tragically, Leila was not present for his final moments, having been sent to Alexandria. At the funeral, she wore a white dress and appeared remarkably composed, yet the pain of losing both her homeland and her father weighed heavily on her.
Following the Shah's death, the family received an invitation from President Ronald Reagan and relocated to the United States, initially settling in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Leila attended a nearby private school and later moved to Greenwich, eventually graduating from My Country Day School in 1988. She pursued studies in literature and philosophy at Brown University but reportedly left due to health issues, including stomach discomfort and signs of fatigue.
Described by friends as kind-hearted and sensitive, Leila struggled with introversion and feelings of isolation. Despite the family's diminished wealth, they retained sufficient resources, as the Shah had deposited significant funds in foreign banks before his overthrow. Leila did not seek employment but assisted her brother in managing the Mehr Foundation, which aimed to foster cultural connections between Iran and the West.
Throughout her life, Leila maintained a connection to her heritage, often reminiscing about her childhood in Iran and expressing a longing for her homeland. She enjoyed socializing and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds but battled depression and feelings of being lost. Her struggles intensified in her twenties, manifesting in eating disorders and chronic pain. After her beloved grandmother passed away in November 2000, Leila's mental health declined further. She sought treatment at The Priory Hospital in London for various psychological issues. Despite attempts to rebuild her life and engage in new ventures, her struggles persisted.
Tragically, on June 10, 2001, Leila was found deceased in a London hotel room, having ingested a lethal dose of medication along with other substances. Her passing was mourned by friends and family, who hoped she had finally found peace after a life marked by turmoil and loss. Though she possessed beauty, wealth, and privilege, her life was overshadowed by deep-seated pain. May this beautiful princess rest in peace.
