‘This Will Be Written in History Books’: Granddaughter of Iran’s Last Shah Marries Jewish American Businessman

The granddaughter of the last Shah of Iran and a Jewish American businessman tied the knot over the weekend in a union that’s being hailed as a modern-day Purim story. Princess Iman Pahlavi celebrated her marriage to the American tech chief executive, Bradley Sherman, in a private wedding ceremony in Paris over the weekend, just a month after the couple registered at a courthouse in New York. The lavish function in the city of love drew several prominent Iranian public figures as well as members of the Iranian royal family. Ms. Pahlavi is the daughter of the exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, and the granddaughter of Iran’s last monarch, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who ruled Iran between 1941 and 1979 and was known for his pro-Western foreign policy. The Pahlavi family was ousted from power and forced into exile in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution. The family fled to America, where Ms. Pahlavi and her sisters were raised. A statement from the family reads: ‘The first wedding of a grandchild of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran was conducted this weekend with a traditional Iranian ceremony in the presence of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi and close family and friends.’ Via XGiven Ms. Pahlavi’s royal Persian bloodline, her marriage to a Jewish man has drawn parallels to the story behind the Jewish holiday of Purim, which celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia through the union of a Jew and a Persian royal. According to the story, a Jewish woman succeeds in thwarting a high-ranking Persian official’s plot to exterminate her community by marrying the king of Persia, King Ahasuerus. “The marriage of Iranian Princess Iman Pahlavi and Brad Sherman is one of the most historic events that everyone will remember,” an Iranian-Jewish blogger, Nioh Berg, wrote. “This will be written in history books,” she added. Pictures from the Parisian wedding began to surface on social media this week, with one video showing the newlywed couple being raised on chairs, a traditional Jewish celebration. Ms. Berg responded to the video by praising “the bond between Persians and Jews,” which “dates back all the way from Cyrus the Great and to the current Pahlavi dynasty.” She then welcomed Mr. Sherman to “our Royal family.” Other Iranian figures extended their support for the couple, including Persian artist, Faezeh Alavi, who shared: “This is who we are. This is IRAN.” An Iranian-born Canadian politician, Goldie Ghamari, wrote: “This wedding photo of Princess Iman Pahlavi with her father HRH @PahlaviReza symbolizes hope, legacy, and over 2500 years of Iranian history.”

‘This Will Be Written in History Books’: Granddaughter of Iran’s Last Shah Marries Jewish American Businessman

‘This Will Be Written in History Books’: Granddaughter of Iran’s Last Shah Marries Jewish American Businessman

More from the New York Sun

Historic Suspensions Imposed on Argentina May Be Lifeline for FIFA’s Embattled President

Roberts Allows Trump’s Ballroom Construction To Continue While Supreme Court Considers Appeal

American Academic Who Sparked Scrutiny of Cambridge Professor Is Suspended, Prompting a Rebuke From the State Department

Welcome Home, Harry: Prodigal Prince Is Hit With $13 Million Bill — Due in a Week — for Failed Case Against the Press

Greta Garbo, as Seen Through Family Eyes

Chuck Schumer Surrenders to Abdul El-Sayed

Navy Reportedly Considering Changing Name of Aircraft Carrier Honoring Black World War II Hero To Honor Trump

Apple Refines Its Liquid Glass Vision, but Google Maps Still Works Better

More from the New York Sun

Historic Suspensions Imposed on Argentina May Be Lifeline for FIFA’s Embattled President

Roberts Allows Trump’s Ballroom Construction To Continue While Supreme Court Considers Appeal

American Academic Who Sparked Scrutiny of Cambridge Professor Is Suspended, Prompting a Rebuke From the State Department

Welcome Home, Harry: Prodigal Prince Is Hit With $13 Million Bill — Due in a Week — for Failed Case Against the Press

Greta Garbo, as Seen Through Family Eyes

Chuck Schumer Surrenders to Abdul El-Sayed

Navy Reportedly Considering Changing Name of Aircraft Carrier Honoring Black World War II Hero To Honor Trump

Apple Refines Its Liquid Glass Vision, but Google Maps Still Works Better