Mohammed Zahir Shah
King of Afghanistan from 1933 to 1973
Mohammed Zahir Shah (16 October 1914 – 23 July 2007) was the last King (Shah) of Afghanistan. He ruled for four decades, from 1933 to 1973.
Mohammed Zahir Shah | |
---|---|
King of Afghanistan | |
Reign | 8 November 1933 - 17 July 1973 |
Predecessor | Mohammed Nadir Shah |
Successor | Monarchy abolished Mohammed Daoud Khan as President of Afghanistan |
Born | 16 October 1915 Kabul, Afghanistan |
Died | July 23, 2007 Kabul, Afghanistan | (aged 91)
Burial | Maranjan Hill |
Spouse | Humaira Begum (deceased 2002) |
House | Barakzai |
Father | Mohammed Nadir Shah |
Mother | Mah Parwar Begum |
Mohammed Zahir Shah became king of Afghanistan at the age of nineteen after the assassination of his father in November 1933. Since he was so young, his uncle, Shah Mahmood Khan ran the government. Mohammed Zahir Shah took control and was able to keep Afghanistan’s neutral position in international politics.
In July 17, 1973, Mohammed Zahir Shah was no longer king after a bloodless coup. He died on July 23, 2007 (aged 92).