As political tension rises between Iran and Israel, a tender moment of love and unity unfolded in Paris.
Princess Iman Pahlavi, granddaughter of Iran’s last monarch, has married her longtime partner, Bradley Sherman, in an elegant ceremony far from the turmoil in the Middle East.
The 31-year-old Persian princess and her American-Jewish fiancé exchanged vows in a private event on June 8 in the French capital. Their wedding followed a civil registration earlier in New York.
Iman is the daughter of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and Princess Yasmine Pahlavi. Her new husband, Bradley, is a successful tech entrepreneur originally from Arizona.
Family and Tradition Shine in Parisian Fairytale Wedding
The bride wore a graceful off-shoulder gown by renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab. The romantic dress featured detachable sleeves, adding a modern touch to her royal look. Bradley chose a classic black tuxedo. Friends and members of the exiled Iranian royal family, including Queen Farah, joined them in celebrating the occasion.
Queen Farah, now in her eighties, had herself married the Shah in 1959 at the age of 21. She traveled to Paris for her granddaughter’s wedding, bringing full circle a royal legacy that once ruled Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Photos from the Paris celebration, shared online by Iman’s sister Noor and other family members, revealed an atmosphere of joy and style. One image captured Bradley gazing lovingly at his bride. Another showed the couple enjoying their first dance. The reception area was transformed into a fantasy-like forest, setting the stage for a magical evening.
Iman changed into a second Elie Saab creation for the reception. This strapless gown, decorated with strings of pearls, glowed under the lights as the couple were lifted on chairs during the traditional Jewish ‘chair dance.’ A towering wedding cake, covered in raspberries, was one of many eye-catching moments from the celebration.
Love Story Rooted in a Shared Life Across Continents
Before their lavish Parisian ceremony, the couple had a civil wedding at a courthouse in New York. For that day, Iman wore a white halterneck dress by Rosie Assoulin with floral designs. She kept her hairstyle simple, wearing a low ponytail.
Iman and Bradley got engaged two years ago. Her family announced the news with joy in a heartfelt Instagram post. “She and Bradley have been dating for three years. We’ve watched their relationship blossom and are so happy that they have made a commitment to share their lives together,” wrote her parents.
Bradley proposed on a beach, surrounded by torches and rose petals. The emotional moment was captured in photographs showing Iman visibly moved. The pair embraced, surrounded by close family, including Iman’s sisters, Noor and Farah.
They met in 2017 through mutual friends and reportedly moved in together during the Covid-19 lockdown. Iman currently works as a senior manager at American Express in New York, while Bradley serves as CEO of a tech company.
Legacy of the Pahlavi Dynasty and Queen Farah’s Role in History
The wedding echoed memories of the Shah’s reign, known for its glamour and controversy. In 1959, Queen Farah’s wedding to the Shah was a global event. Her gown was created by a young Yves Saint Laurent, then with the House of Dior. She wore the Noor-ol-Ain Diamond tiara and later became known for promoting culture and arts in Iran.
Farah helped establish museums and acquired over 150 modern art pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Monet for Iran’s national collection. She aimed to merge traditional Persian art with modernity, creating lasting cultural institutions.
After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the Pahlavis fled Iran. Farah described the revolution as “unbelievable” and mourned the abrupt turn from progress. “Even today, when I think about it, these were not problems to the point that they would lead to what happened,” she said.
Farah compared Iran’s shift to a leap “from Cyrus the Great to this.” The revolution ended many of the rights Iranian women had gained under the Shah, including a ban on the hijab, free secondary schooling, and access to employment.
The Rise and Fall of a Royal Era
Under the Shah, Iran pushed toward Western-style modernisation. He believed the hijab suppressed women and encouraged female participation in the workforce. Higher education expanded, and student support increased.
But while the monarchy modernised the country’s infrastructure and culture, it also repressed dissent. The Shah’s secret police, SAVAK, became infamous for torture and widespread surveillance. His association with Western powers and economic troubles worsened public anger.
In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile and declared the Islamic Republic. The monarchy fell. The Pahlavi family fled, moving between Egypt, Morocco, and the Bahamas before eventually settling in the U.S.
The Shah, suffering from cancer, died in Egypt in July 1980. Farah remained there for two years before moving back to the United States.
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