I am sorry to announce this, dear friends, but Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi, son of His Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi and the late Shah of Iran, has passed away today, January 4, 2011.

The Prince battled with depression over the years, and according to various sources, the 44 year old Prince committed suicide in Boston, Massachusetts:

…struggled for years to overcome his sorrow, he finally succumbed, and during the night of the 4th of January 2011, in his Boston residence, took his own life, plunging his family and friends into great sorrow.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

To read more please visit the official site for Reza Pahlavi (Alireza’s older brother) at: Reza Pahlavi.org

You may also read an excellent article from The Huffington Post