World’s most expensive party ever was hosted by…, had 18 tonnes food, 25000 wine bottles, 2700 kg meat; spent more money than Mukesh Ambani, he was…

Before the Ambanis wowed the world with extravagant billion-rupee celebrations, an Iranian king held such a party that is still referred to as the most expensive party in history. 18 tonnes of food, 25,000 bottles of wine, 100 aircraft, and a whole lot more that will make the Ambani wedding hype look small. So, who was he? Here is the story of a royal, lavish feast that raised the bar.

Not too long ago—just fifty years ago—Iran appeared like a different place compared to today. In the early 1970s, it was typical to encounter women dressed in Western attire throughout public spaces, and the country was viewed as modern and progressive. However, everything changed in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi Monarchy. In its place was the formation of the Islamic Republic and drastic changes throughout the cultural, social, and political landscape of the country, especially as it applied to women’s rights and freedoms.

World’s most expensive party ever was hosted by…

Iran underwent a major change after the 1979 revolution, which marked the end of Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini. One of the dramatic incidents that fueled indignation in public sentiment was a lavish celebration by the Shah, and one that at the time was possibly the largest party ever. Although the celebration was aimed at indicating Iran’s legacy and contemporary power, it became a jarring visual demonstration of excess and disconnection from ordinary citizens. Many outraged people took offense at such a glaring disparity between the luxury of their ruler, while they struggled in their own lives, and this disparity helped fuel the overthrow of a 2,000-year-old monarchy.

Who was Mohammad Reza Shah?

In 1941, Mohammad Reza Shah, a wealthy ruler, came to power. Eager to pursue a vision of a modernized Iran, he championed the Western experience, pushed for the enactment of liberal reforms, and rejected age-old customs—including the widespread use of the hijab. His intentions would forever change Iran, and he set out to reform the nation into a modern, progressive state, from which religious clerics and conservative groups fiercely opposed. Dissent, whether openly or quietly, had no place in Iran, and all who challenged or critiqued his rule faced censorship, incarceration, or political silencing.

In 1971, Iran’s Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi hosted what is still regarded as the grandest party in human history, celebrating 2,500 years of the Persian Empire. The event took place in the ancient ruins of Persepolis, and included royalty from and dignitaries from 65 invitees flown in to witness some event that nobody had ever seen before and no one would ever see again. But behind the gold-trimmed tents and sparkly lights was an incredible story of ambition, as well as growing discontent. As per the media reports, the event cost an astounding $100 million and led to widespread discontent.

World’s most expensive party had 18 tonnes food, 25000 wine bottles, 2700 kg meat!

Planning for the celebration started in 1970, but as the planning grew larger, the Shah and his associates understood that the Tehran home could not accommodate anything to that level. So, the Shah decided to put on the celebration at Persepolis, or an empty desert space.

They built a city out of tents in the desert–one that was a luxury city. The final price tag? A mind-blowing $100 million, which is a lot of money today. While in the Shah’s mind the celebration was a grand tribute to Iran’s legacy,–to many in the country and outside of it, it was merely on display that there was ample wealth and that many could see the extravagance of the $100 million dollar party only contributed to the anger and angst of everyday Iranians and also outside of the royal government. That party, glorious as it was, is now merely seen as one of the precursors of the fall of the monarchy just a few years later.

Persepolis, the site of the celebration, had monumental historical importance – it was the burial site of Cyrus the Great, the first emperor of Persia. However, in 1971, this historical land was dramatically altered along a vast 30-kilometre stretch to host a royal spectacle unlike any other. While the desert was filled with riches – champagne flowed, gourmet meals were served, and guests dined off golden tableware – life in the rest of Iran told a very different story.

In many regions, Iranians were still struggling to meet basic daily needs such as clean drinking water, healthcare, and housing. This glaring difference between a king celebrating a glorious past in the lap of luxury and a nation struggling to make ends meet only served to widen the gap between the palace and the people.

According to the media reports, to create a false oasis in the middle of the desert, the Shah’s advisers even imported 50,000 birds for the atmosphere of a jungle. Sadly, most perished in a few days from the extreme desert climate.

A temporary luxury city of tents was constructed in the desert sands which housed the dignitaries. The logistics are staggering: 40 trucks and 100 planes came from France just to transport the materials for the elaborate tents. The enormity of the celebration seemed other-worldly – 18 tonnes of food, 180 waiters,  2700 kg of meat,  and 25,000 bottles of fine wine were prepared for the kings, queens and top political leaders from around the world.

In light of the global leaders in attendance, security was enhanced to unprecedented levels. But, while the world elite were dining under chandeliers made of crystal, in tents draped in silk, ordinary Iranians were still wrestling with poverty, unemployment, and water shortages. The extravagance was so extreme that the event was dubbed, “the world’s most expensive party.” For countless Iranians, it was not just extravagance; it was painful reminder of how remote their ruler had become.