Salman

Salman. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Prime Minister. He ascended to the throne in January 2015 following the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah. His reign has been characterized by ambitious domestic reforms under the Vision 2030 program and a more assertive foreign policy, while he continues to oversee the nation's immense oil wealth and its central role in Islam.

Early life and family

Born in Riyadh, he is a son of the kingdom's founder, Ibn Saud, and a prominent member of the Al Sudairi clan through his mother, Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi. He is a full brother to the late King Fahd and the late Crown Prince Sultan, among others, a grouping often referred to as the "Sudairi Seven". His early education took place at the Prince's School in the capital, where he studied religion and modern sciences. He was appointed the Emir of Riyadh in 1963, a position he held for nearly five decades, during which he oversaw the transformation of the city from a modest town into a major metropolis.

Career

His long tenure as Emir of Riyadh from 1963 to 2011 established him as a key administrator and modernizer, managing the capital's rapid growth and complex tribal relations. In November 2011, he was appointed Minister of Defense by King Abdullah, taking command of one of the world's largest defense budgets. He was named Crown Prince in June 2012 following the death of Crown Prince Nayef. Upon becoming King in 2015, he quickly reshuffled the line of succession, appointing his nephew Muhammad bin Nayef as Crown Prince and his son Mohammed bin Salman as Deputy Crown Prince; in 2017, he elevated Mohammed bin Salman to Crown Prince. His reign has launched sweeping initiatives, most notably the economic and social reform blueprint Vision 2030, and has seen Saudi Arabia engage in military campaigns such as the intervention in Yemen and a diplomatic dispute with Qatar.

Personal life

He has been married multiple times, with his spouses including Fahdah bint Falah Al Hithlain and the late Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi. He is the father of many children, with his son Mohammed bin Salman serving as Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Another son, Khalid bin Salman, serves as the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. He has faced personal health challenges, including a stroke in 2010, but has maintained an active ruling schedule. His family is considered one of the most influential within the House of Saud, with several of his sons holding key governmental and military positions.

Public image and philanthropy

Internationally, he is often portrayed as a modernizing force behind Vision 2030, though his rule has also drawn significant criticism over human rights issues and the war in Yemen. Domestically, his support for social reforms, such as lifting the ban on women driving and promoting entertainment sectors like cinema, has been widely publicized. He is the founder and chairman of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, which provides aid globally. His charitable works also include the establishment of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation, which focuses on educational and developmental projects within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Muslim world.

Awards and recognition

He has received numerous state honors from countries around the world in recognition of his leadership and humanitarian efforts. These include the Order of the Nile from Egypt, the Order of Zayed from the United Arab Emirates, and the King Abdulaziz Sash, the highest honor in Saudi Arabia. In 2017, he was awarded the Islamic Development Bank Prize for Service to Islam. His relief organization, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, has also been recognized by various United Nations agencies for its work in crisis zones.

Category:1935 births Category:Kings of Saudi Arabia Category:Saudi Arabian royalty Category:Living people