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The Lady Renwick, née Homayoun Mazandi, is a celebrated society hostess from Persia, who has entertained artists, intellectuals, top politicians and royals at her homes in Tehran, London, Los Angeles and New York. Her parties at her home in Chester Square,London were so flamboyant, she was dubbed 'the Caviare Queen'[1] by Nigel Dempster. For a time, she was also an 'anti-Khomeini counter-revolutionary.'[2] and a leader of a London movement heralding Iranian cultural heritage and history.

Background

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Homayoun was born in Tehran, Iran to an army colonel father. After high school, she read news bullitins and recited ancient Persian poetry on Iranian TV. In 1959 she married Yousof Mazandi, the founder, proprieter and editor of the Iran Tribune and Financial Investor. In 1974 she moved to England. In June 1989 she married Lord Harry Renwick. She has two children, a daughter called Yassmina Mazandi Castilla, and a son called Shariar Mazandi. She livespermanently in London.

Parties

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After relocating to Britain, she became a regular feature in the gossip columns. Nigel Dempster called her a 'a social adornment to Belgravia.'[3] Sir Eldon Griffiths describes her in his book Turbulent Iran: Recollections, Revelations and a Plan for Peace in the chapter A Red Haired Lady and A Blue Marchioness.[4] He writes Within months of her arrival in England, Homayoun Mazandi's picture appeared on the cover of one of its leading fashion magazine...At her elegant dinner table, heaped high with the fruit and flowers that characterize Persian hospitality, I met painters, writers, bankers and businessmen (from Iran)...

In the Daily Mail newspaper, Nigel Dempster noted that 'The effervescent Homayoun..used to employ a taxi to proceed her Rolls as her chauffeur did not know his way around town...'[5]


Her parties inspired a three page feature on her in The Sunday Times Magazine.[6]

Iranian Politics

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Homayoun is the only woman to have had audience with Ayatollah Khomeini to discuss the Iranian Revolution.[7] She arrived at this historic meeting in Paris posing as a journalist and without a head scarf. Khomeini's staff told her to cover herself, but she refused. The Ayatollah himself pursuaded her by saying, 'You are welcome in my house. As in yours, we ask our guests to observe the customs of my house.' They discussed the future of their country and she challenged him on his beliefs and motivations. She questioned his reasoning and encourgement of extremism, suggesting they put 'God between them.' Khomeini observed 'You a danger to every man between the ages of eighteen and eighty. But what do you want from me?' She answered 'The truth.' Ebrahim Yazdi, Sadegh Ghotbzadeh and Abdulhassan Banisadr were all present. The conversation was recorded and filmed, but never shown to the public. Because of this discussion she was threatened legal action. When she did not respond she was put on their 'Wanted' list.

Persian Culture

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Insistent on restoring Anglo-Iranian cultural links, Homayoun saved the Chair of Persian Studies at Cambridge, which was under threat from Government cuts. Homayoun founded the first cultural group of Iranians in London in 1992 entitled Friends of Persian Art and Culture. It was conceived to save the cultural heritage and history of Iran and to build a social, cultural and politically active community. This group inspired many of the Persian cultural institutions active in London today.

Literary Subject

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She was interviewed by writer Naim Attallah for his book entitled Women. She has several books concerning Persia dedicated to her. Safavid Persia a Pembroke College collection of papers is edited by Professor Charles Melville. He begins 'For Homayoun Renwick in admiration and gratitude.'[8]

Charitable Work

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Homayoun was Chairman for the Committee for the Special Olympics. She is also a regular fundraiser for the Conservative Party.

Style

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Homayoun's homes and flamoyant style have been photographed and featured in interior design books and magazines, including House and Garden, Architectural Digest, Classical Rooms[9], The Curtain Book[10] and The Evening Standard.


References

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  1. ^ Steen, James, Sunday Express, 2 August 1992, page 41
  2. ^ Miller Compton, Who's Really Who, pub 1983, page 114
  3. ^ Dempster, Nigel, Daily Mail Newspaper, Thurs July 19, 1984, page 17
  4. ^ Griffiths, Sir Eldon, Turbulent Iran: Recollection, Revelations and a Plan for Peace;p.57
  5. ^ Dempster, Nigel, Daily Mail Newspaper, Thurs July 19, 1984, page 17
  6. ^ Berens, Jessica, The Sunday Times Magazine, 22 December 1985, page 24
  7. ^ Griffiths, Sir Eldon, Turbulent Iran: Recollection, Revelations and a Plan for Peace;p.57
  8. ^ ed. Melville, Charles Safavid Persia, pub 1996
  9. ^ The Curtain Book, pub Mitchell Beazley, 1988, page 108
  10. ^ The House and Garden Book of Classic Rooms, pub Chatto and Windus 1989, page 166, 167


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