Egypt: A Tale of Two Autocrats

For twelve years, Farouk of Egypt wandered in exile. In public he wore dark glasses and was accompanied by two bodyguards who fended off newsmen and curious bystanders. In private Farouk endlessly pursued women and was reputed to know every call girl in Rome by name. When a starlet appeared on the Via Veneto with a new piece of jewelry, friends would examine it and ask "Farouk?"

Fat, flabby, 45-year-old Farouk symbolized the gross results of a classically misspent life. Last week he died as he had lived — gorging himself on fine...

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