The Most Expensive Party In The World’s History
By: U.F.M Techie
Tags: Self-awareness, History, Life Lessons, Life, Self Improvement

“Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

This is the story of the most exclusive and expensive party the world has ever seen. You already heard some of the lavish, extravagant parties in today’s century. However, many of you have not heard about Iran’s extravagant and exclusive party, which they had arranged in 1971 in commemoration of the 2500th birth year of the Persian dynasty lasted for three days. Economists estimated that the total worth of the party was $635 million in today’s currency rate. The party was splendor and magnificent in the world’s record history.

It got delicious food and drinks from the world’s best restaurants, luxury suites for each guest with equipped every kind of facility and luxury. Everything was embellished, with European and French style décor. Moreover, the guest list was exclusively furnished, with important guests such as the head of state from 65 countries, emperors, kings, queens, prince, princess, Saudi’s sheik, Sultans, business figures, and other richest, guest from five different continents.

Now you all think that venue was also luxurious for entertaining such elite guests. You might think that may be a historic castle or seven-star hotels. But No, the venue was middle of the desert with 50 plastic tents with the unbelievable cost estimated around $635 million. But the area of the desert was enlightened with various luxurious facilities. In this thread, let’s explore the world’s most extravagant party in world history.

Brief Information about the host

In 1971, was the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the emperor of Iran, was hosted the most popular party in the entire history. That was the period when the Iranian revolution occurs and the Iranian Monarchy that changed the future of the country forever. Iran in the year of 1960 was in tough condition and miserable state. The emperor Shah, got all government’s powers (appointing Prime minister, dissolving the parliament, raising an army, declaring war, concluding peace, and authorized for all decision making) and said to be the richest person in the world.

Emperor educated in Switzerland, and He loves the western and modern lifestyle. He was fond of freedom and modernity, but on the contrary, the people of Iran have different thoughts about liberalism and modernity. Whenever people raise their voices against the dynasty, the secret police of Shah arrest them. He was fond of modernity and freedom, but he never gives freedom to his people to raise their voice against the government. People addressed their emperor as a “cruel king” because of his several atrocities and death penalties at their will.

The people of Iran were screaming for help, despite being an oil-rich country, the condition of socio-economic was unpleasant. The infrastructure was in a miserable state, and half of the population was surviving in poverty. The heavy shortage of water, medical facilities, educational organizations, and bad situations of industries were major depressing issues. All the substandard conditions were calling for the new state or reform of new orders, but emperor Shah was thinking about the High-Standard party.

Emperor thought that huge, exquisite, and lavish multi-day events would gain the reputation of Iran. According to him, this event raises the splendid and magnificent dynasty’s lost reputation. So, the emperor decided to arrange a three days event in commemorating of 2500th anniversary of the foundation (lead by the glorious Persian empire, by Cyprus the Great). The emperor of Iran thought that it would be a great idea to introduce myself as a new Great emperor to the world.

Arranging Party by various Organizations (Site of Celebration)

Before one year, the preparation of the party started, and several organizations were working on inviting guests. As I mentioned earlier, the venue was selected as the middle area of the desert (the ancient dry, dusty city of Persepolis) because Iran has no proper infrastructure to host the event for such an elite class people. They decided to set-up a small village with luxurious tents, but they turned the whole place with green life.

The Shah imported trees, and several species of plants, planted in that area. Approximately 15000 trees and also with several equal numbers of flowers planted there. If that, a large number of green life planted, they required tons of water for them to grow. As already, Iran was suffering from water shortage, and planting in a desert was an insane idea. The separate garden was created with especially with several species of roses and tall cypresses by George Truffaut (The famous florist from Versailles).

The whole deserted area got poisonous creatures like snakes, Scorpios, and spiders, whose one sting is enough to kill anybody. To remove this hurdle, they sprayed creature killing chemicals up to 30km and gathered the creatures from there. They found several species of reptiles and sent them for research institutions for research. To populate that particular area, the emperor of Iran imported 50,000 songbirds from Europe, 20,000 sparrows from Spain, and released them towards his newly created forest. Mostly, those bought birds died after a few days because of the hot temperature and lack of water. The area was deserted, so that place was reached at forty degrees centigrade at noon, while a drop below zero degrees at night.

The separate golf course in the desert developed with bunkers, greens, and fairways. For embellishment or decoration, Shah hired world-class professionals; all were from the renowned European companies. To build the royal tent city, he hired the most popular Jansen Company from Paris. The Jansen built the air-conditioned luxury suite for guests and turned them in traditional Persian cloth to flourish its outer look like a tent. The interior of the tent was furnished, with modern décor, each tent contains two bedrooms with a sitting area and two bathrooms, a separate kitchen with a cook and other services available all the time.

Each tent is reserve for five people because of its spacious infrastructure. Hundreds of French architects, craftsmen workers, and interior designers worked for over a year to build such magnificent tents. A total of 50 tents assembled with five avenues, with a central fitted fountain. The whole area was looks like a star shape, representing five continents. The other special tent was settled as “the tent of Honor” for the reception of guests and the “Banquet Hall-Tent”

Food for celebration

At that time, the Maxims based in Paris (Maxims de Paris) was the best restaurant in the world, so Shah signed a deal with Maxims. That deal got attention from the whole world and expected that the party would have delicious cuisines. Ten days before the party, Maxims shift their whole crew (chefs, waiters, staff, types of equipment, and other workers) to Persepolis. It was estimated that 18 tons of food accumulated, including millions of eggs, 2700 kg of beef, and 1280kg fowl with other extraordinary food items. The Max Blouet, who was known as the legendary hotelier, joins, to supervise the banquet. Initially, the menu kept secret, but later it got leaked to media.

It became controversial that hundreds of tons of foods and goods had been transported and imported to separate desolate desert. Reaching a venue (Persepolis) was challenging and required demanding logistics. To transport goods, the emperor ordered the built airfield in Shiraz some 50 km away from the Persepolis (Venue), and the highway was route connecting these two sites. From this track, all the imported goods, materials, and needed supplies reached the venue (Persepolis).

Decoration

The decoration was done by The Jansen, all the tents were fully equipped and air-conditioned, Italian drapes, Italian curtains, Baccarat crystals decoration pieces, Porthault linens, Limoges china with Pahlavi coat of arms, an exquisite Robert Havilland cups, saucers, and crockery services were marvelous. Moreover, 12 tons of expensive beverages included expensive wines bottles (2500 bottles of Champagne, 1000 bottles of Bordeaux, and 1000 bottles of Burgundy), were imported for the party. They imported 30 tons of kitchen equipment and settled that equipment at the venue for the Maxims kitchen. Also, ice-cubes were separately bought for the occasion.

Security

At the place like Persepolis and the world’s high-class guests, it was crucial to take care of the security. As already, the emperor was facing, tough resentment and anger of people unpleasant maybe happen at the venue. It was a big tough challenge to prevail security because it was already acts of violence sighted at that time. Many threats were facing from the activists, opponents, and Guerrillas (The opponent independent group) that can wreck the party.

Emperor Shah deployed his secret police along with troops, estimated around 65000 for the hundred guests. There were security checkpoints every few meters. One of the greatest threats they were facing at that time was the poisoning of food so, that’s why they built a tightly secure banquet hall where no one allows access, that area except some workers. Chefs and waiters got checked twice or thrice to enter the banquet hall. The special servers got hired from Switzerland. Also, he tightly packed the Iran border, and guests were the only allowed entering or leaving the place. The whole city was raided at the suspicious by police, and many arrested. Schools and Universities were closed at that time.

Many headlines, were sighted at the newspaper that “Iran isolates Tent City to protect VIP guests.”

Promotion of Party

As the preparation for the grand party was about to complete. The emperor of Iran invested the chunk of money was spent on the promotion of the event. Emperor of Iran signed contracts with TV channels in different countries to live broadcast the event to foreign citizens. Iranian Embassies in different countries were directed to organize conferences, symposiums, gatherings, and other cultural activities to draw attention towards the occasion. Many translated copies of books that were published, in Iran, were distributed around the world.

Everywhere there were highlights of main events, every media channel covers its secret menu, venue, expenditure, and, special dresses. The party became the new topic for controversies and got the attention of the masses. Overall the promotions of the main event remain successful. Also, in that one year, the ministry of tourism inaugurated two new luxury hotels in Shiraz, named Khoroush and Daryoush. These hotels were quite big about 150 rooms’ capacity. Those hotels are built for media people and lesser prominent people.

One of the American newspapers wrote that “Sky’s No Limit When Shah Throws a Bash.”

Dresses for the great Occasion

The dresses for the great party were all exclusively designed by French tailors, by utilizing precious gems, diamonds, and golden threads. Each dress was prepared, with thousands of dollars in expense. Every dress was especially sewed by French tailors. Many gossips and controversial highlights were also sighted, on many TV channels and newspapers.

“After everything got ready, the only thing was remaining guests.”

The Big Day

Finally, the day had arrived; we can assume that how everyone was alert and conscious at the same time because their reputation was at stake. October 14, 1971 media team was gathered from all over the world to cover the party footage and for witnessing the fulfillment of the great promise. Initially, it was hard for guests to believe that Iran could be able to throw the party as they promised.

The guest started arriving, the number of VIPs are one by one reached at ancient city Persepolis. Now it’s time to see the fruitful result of the emperor’s struggle to gain their reputation. The guest was included, Vice-president of the USA -Spiro Agnew, president of USA Nikolai. Austria, Finland, and Switzerland were represented by their Head of State. Prime minister of France, Italy, South Korea, and Switzerland was also seen by the media team. Western Germany sent their President of the Bundestag. Portugal sent its Foreign Minister. Pope Paul VI sent his special representative. Presidents of Bulgaria, Turkey, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Indonesia, Lebanon, Pakistan, and India all attended the party. The presidents from Africa, Senegal, Dahomey, Zaire, and Mauritania arrived on time. President of Yugoslavia and Romania had arrived with their wives; Governor-General of Canada and Australia were also spotted at the sight. China sent their ambassador, Poland’s deputy Chairman was also were the attendees of the royal party. Imagine how everyone was sparkling in their outfits, many other Emperors, Prince, Princess have all joined the party. The Emperor of Denmark, the Royal couple (King and Queen) of Denmark, Belgium, Nepal, Denmark, Belgium, and Greece. King of Jordan, Norway, and Lesotho have arrived. Sultan of Oman and Emir of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi reached. Princess and princess of Afghanistan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, France, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Japan and Morocco, Jordan, Thailand, and Malaysia were all gathered in one place.

Queen of Britain didn’t attend the party, but on her behalf, her husband Philip of Edinburg and Daughter Anne have arrived at Persepolis. Many other western countries didn’t attain that gathering because Iran’s Emperor was considered as a dictator. Around 250 Limousines were ordered by Emperor to transport the guests from Shiraz to Persepolis.

Celebration

Everything was flawless; the ceremony started from the tomb of Cyprus- the Great. Emperor of Iran entered at the site with her Empress Farah and Crown Prince Reza. Shah delivered a heartwarming speech and promised that the dynasty’s heir act according to the vision of the dynasty. The party was started, after that, and according to preparation, it went successful.

The whole three days and nights were enjoyed by VIPs, and the whole world was witnessed about the grand party, through media coverage. Overall, it was an amazing, Surreal, and unique experience for everyone. All guests were covered, with their glorious outfits women dressed in royal dresses and jewels. Not only the luxurious tents, but also set many entertainments, clubs, hairdressing Salons, and Makeup Salons for guests with hundreds of designers and makeup-artists were also present at the site. Everything was pre-planned and praised by guests.

Overall it was a luxurious party the world had ever witness. Each day of the party was a surprise and worthy of royal guests. On October 16, 1971, the guests start returning to their homeland. Some of the guests were impressed by the party, while others feel jealous. Emperor of Shah proved his royalty and gain reputation among guests and in the whole world.

After Party

Emperor of Iran’s party was not appreciated by his people and among abroad citizens. Shah was ones again pointed out as a money Squanderer and Show-off person. The circumstances got complex and everyone in his land was starts revolt. Ayatollah Khomeini, who was the leader of the Iranian revolution, was exiled from Iran.

Ayatollah Khomeini stated that “In many of our cities and most of our villages there is no doctor or medicine, there is no sign of school, bathroom and drinking water. Children are hungry-no food-but this tyrannical regime spends millions of dollars on various shameful festivities, most catastrophic of all. The 2500th anniversary of the founding of the monarchy.”

Iran law forbid alcohol consumption, and all citizens of Iran were shocked by hearing the amount of alcohol consumed, scandalous low-cut dresses during the celebration, and absence of the Iranian public at the ceremony. The attitude of Iran’s Emperor was considered as “Imperial Arrogance” and highly defamed by his acts and decisions. The total estimated amount counted $635 million. But according to Emperor, the amount was not large, and the celebration reason was to gather donations for the construction of schools and other required buildings. Emperor of Iran lost all the trust and support of his people.

End of Throne (End of Palvani Dynasty)

Opposition parties and citizen starts a revolution and gathered against Shah. After three years of continuous defaming, Shah apologized to his public for bad decisions, corruption, and cruelty. But it was too late for him. Shah was exiled in Egypt and died after one year.