Youngest son of Iran's former Shah commits suicide

[News_Editor]

Youngest son of Iran's former Shah commits suicide

2011-01-05 08:07:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEHRAN, IRAN (BNO NEWS) -- The youngest son of Iran's former Shah, Alireza Pahlavi, on Tuesday committed suicide in his Boston, Massachusetts home, a family spokesman told local media.

Family spokesman Ahmad Oveyssi confirmed the incident to Payvand, saying Alireza Pahlavi, 44, of Tehran, Iran - the youngest son of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was Shah of Iran from 1941 until 1979 - grew up in his native country until 1979 when he migrated to the U.S. during the revolution. He decided to take his own life on Tuesday morning.

The Pahlavi family described the incident with "immense grief."

"Like millions of young Iranians, he too was deeply disturbed by all the ills fallen upon his beloved homeland, as well as carrying the burden of losing a father and a sister in his young life," the family said in its statement.

"Although he struggled for years to overcome his sorrow, he finally succumbed, and during the night of the 4th of January 2011, in his Boston residence, took his own life, plunging his family and friends into great sorrow."

Alierza Pahlavi obtained a Bachelors Degree from Princeton University in 1984, a Masters Degree from Columbia University in 1992 and attended Harvard University in pursuit of a PhD. in Ancient Iranian Studies.

The Shah's youngest daughter Leila Pahlavi also committed suicide in June 2001 in Paris.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-05

[Scott]

It's sad for the family. Depression must run in the family.

[hyperdimension]

What was the actual direct cause of death?

[whybother]

What was the actual direct cause of death?

"Pahlavi, 44, died from a single gunshot wound that was apparently self-inflicted" ... from a news article somewhere.

[Tinkelbell]

May he rest in peace !

I once had an opportunity was on the same ship with this lovely royal family when his older brother Prince Parhlavi got married to an Iranian girl from a diplomate family and they were on honeymoon on the SS Norway - Caribean cruise in the late '80s.

Very impressed with their very exquisite manners.

The way they carried themselves, the way they talked, their voice...etc that the way they were growing up in the royal palace.

My deepest condolence to the Pahlavi family.