2004: Farah Pahlavi and I outside her home in Potomac, Washington, on the release of her memoir An Enduring Love: My Life with the Shah

Snapping Pictures, Sharing Moments: My Meeting with Farrah Pahlavi

When I told my mother that I would be meeting Farrah Pahlavi, the first thing she said to me was, “You do realise she was the Princess Diana of our time?” She knew exactly how that would land with me, considering that, as a 12-year-old girl then living in Montreal, I had set my alarm clock well before 3 AM on July 29, 1981, to watch the full live television coverage leading up to the wedding ceremony of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.

At the time, I never imagined I would ever be in the orbit of any royal. Yet, years later, while working as the art director at Châtelaine magazine, I found myself overseeing the photoshoot at Farrah’s home in Potomac, Maryland. We were capturing portraits of her for an article about the release of her memoir.

Of course, I knew who Farrah was—she is the wife and widow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, and a figure of international prominence. As the Queen of Iran, she captured the public’s imagination through her beauty, grace, and strong advocacy for women’s rights. Her image, from iconic photos with her husband to her appearances in a miniskirt or on a motorcycle, has been immortalized in pop culture. She and her husband were also known for their love of contemporary art, with a collection that included works by Andy Warhol, making them prominent figures in the art world as well.

I was nervous about the etiquette of meeting someone of such significance; I had no idea what to expect. Everyone reassured me, saying, “Don’t worry—she’s a lovely woman.” But it took me a long time to figure out what to wear. It felt like such an important and momentous occasion, and I wanted to be sure I showed her the respect she was due. After much deliberation, I decided to wear a beautiful wool skirt and jacket suit from Max Mara, which I had bought at Holt Renfrew. It felt elegant enough for the occasion, though when we stepped outside, the warmth of the day made the jacket feel unnecessary, and I ended up taking it off to pose for that snapshot of us together.

When we arrived at her home, Farrah greeted us with incredible warmth. Not only was she a public figure of immense significance, but she was also a truly gracious hostess, making us feel completely at ease. She invited us into her grand sitting room to take some portraits, but she didn’t stop there. She offered us the opportunity to photograph her in a variety of different settings, allowing us to have a good range of options to choose from.

One of the most memorable parts of the visit was when she invited us into her study. It wasn’t a formal office, but rather a cozy, intimate space where she sat behind her desk, surrounded by organized clutter. The room felt alive with the energy of someone deeply engaged in their work, but at the same time, it was clear she was comfortable with us there, allowing us to take in her environment as it was—authentic and unpretentious.

As we toured her home, I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the artwork she had collected. Farrah has exquisite taste, and I could see that she has a deep appreciation for Persian women’s art. It’s a collection she has built on her own, separate from the one she shared with her late husband. I regret not taking photographs of the artwork itself, as it was truly stunning and reflected her passion for supporting and preserving the work of Iranian women artists.

Farrah is not just a figurehead of royalty but a woman whose kindness and openness made our time together feel more like a conversation with a friend. Her effortless charm and genuine interest in sharing her world with us left a lasting impression on me.