Shahabi took interest in the arts from an early age, practicing the piano, horseback riding, and learning three languages.

She was also the first woman in Iran to obtain a driving license.

[1][2] During the Shah's White Revolution, Shahabi owned large land holdings in Iran.

She was one of the first female landowners to voluntarily distribute a portion of her land holdings.

[3][4] A member of one of Iran's oldest royal dynasties, Shahabi was the granddaughter of Prince Mir 'Ali Mardan Khan, Nuzrat ol-Molk and the great-granddaughter of Mohammad Shah Qajar.