Ashraf Pahlavi, twin sister of last Iran shah, dead at 96

NEW YORK: Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, the twin sister of the last shah of Iran and a controversial trailblazer for women's rights, has died aged 96, an advisor said Friday.

Princess Ashraf, who played a key role in domestic and international politics, died at her home in Europe on Thursday, advisor Robert Armao said.

She was widely regarded as a talented diplomat and headed the Iranian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly for more than a decade.



The princess was also considered a powerful spokeswoman and ally for her brother, although she was loathed by religious fundamentalists.

After the Islamic revolution overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, she supported initiatives related to reviving Iran's cultural, literary and artistic heritage from exile.

She is survived by one son, Prince Chahram, and five grandchildren and great grandchildren.