King Abdullah
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud was the sixth king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. He was the twelfth son of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia. His mother was Fahda bint Alasi bin Kleeb bin Shareem Al-Abdi Al-Shammari. Born in 1924 in Riyadh, he spent his early years under the guidance of his father and was raised in the desert with his maternal uncles, which instilled in him a sense of bravery, nobility, and generosity. These qualities contributed to his ability to govern state affairs beginning in 1995 as he became the Prime Minister, before ascending the throne in 2005 following the death of King Fahd.
Children of King Abdullah
King Abdullah’s Male Offspring
- Prince Mutaib I: His eldest son, who passed away at an early age, leading his father to be known as Abu Mutaib.
- Prince Khalid: He served as the honorary president of the Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club and is married to Princess Nora bint Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabir, his first cousin. They have several children, including Latifa, Abdulaziz, Faisal, Dana, and Abeer.
- Prince Mutaib II: Former Minister of the National Guard, married to Princess Jawaher bint Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud, his cousin. They have children: Saad, Sabah, Nouf, Khalid, Zeina, and Abdullah.
- Prince Abdulaziz: He is the deputy foreign minister of Saudi Arabia and has children, including Khalid, Sadeen, Abdullah, and Lana.
- Prince Faisal: He serves as the head of the Saudi Red Crescent and has children: Abeer, Yasmin, Abdullah, Hissa, Mohammed, Nouf, Hala, Aliya, and Abdulaziz.
- Prince Mishal: Former Emir of Mecca Province.
- Prince Turki: Former Emir of Riyadh Province.
- Prince Saud: He has several children, including Abdullah, Khalid, Abdulaziz, Fahda, Mudawe, and Faisal.
- Prince Mansour: He has two wives, Princess Najla bint Abdulaziz Al Farhan Al Saud, with whom he has children Abdulaziz, Nora, Abdullah, Faisal, and Nouf, and Princess Sarah Al Bukar, with whom he has a son, Khalid.
- Prince Mohammed: He is a member of the honorary committee of Al-Nasr Saudi Football Club and married to Princess Nouf bint Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, having children like Reem, Yasmin, and Abdulaziz.
- Prince Badr: A member of the honorary committee of Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club, married to Princess Lama bint Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Saud, the granddaughter of his uncle Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz.
- Other sons: Princes Majid, Saad, Mashhour, Sultan, and Bandar, the youngest among them.
King Abdullah’s Daughters
- Princess Fahda: She has several children, including Nora, Abdullah, Fahd, Fawaz, Faisal, Fawaz, and Saud (deceased).
- Princess Nouf: Married to Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabir, a first cousin. They have children: Fahd, Jawaher, Faisal, and Saitah.
- Princess Alia: Married to Prince Saud bin Saad bin Mohammed Al Saud, a first cousin, and has children: Sara, and Badr.
- Princess Adila: Married to Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud, also a first cousin, and has children: Layan, Mohammed, Ayah, Sama, Dana, and Salman.
- Princess Saitah: Mother of Thamer and Jawaher.
- Princess Nora: Deceased, she was married to Prince Sultan bin Turki II bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
- Princess Abeer: Married to Prince Fahd bin Turki II bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with children: Sara, Nora, Jawharah, and Abdulaziz.
- Princess Sarah: Has several children, including Abdulaziz, Haya, Mohammed, Talal, Nora, and Nouf.
- Princess Haifa: Married to Prince Abdulaziz bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with children: Nora, Abdullah, and Nawaf.
- Princess Areeb: Mother of both Nora and Nouf.
- Princess Hanoof: Married to Prince Nawaf bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with children: Al-Anoud, Khalid, Abdullah, and Sarah.
- Princess Basma: Wife of Prince Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with two children: Lana and Mohammed.
- Princess Sahab: Mother of two sons, Abdullah and Faisal.
- Other daughters: Princesss Sahar, Princess Maha, Princess Hala, Princess Jawaher, Princess Reema, Princess Nayefa, and Princess Mudawe.
Responsibilities Held by King Abdullah
- In 1964, he became the Commander of the Saudi National Guard and initiated numerous enhancements to the organization, resulting in significant development.
- He also served as the second deputy prime minister alongside his role as head of the National Guard.
- Upon King Fahd’s accession to the throne in 1982, Prince Abdullah was appointed Crown Prince.
- He later assumed the position of first deputy prime minister in addition to his existing duties.
- Following King Fahd’s passing in 2005, Abdullah was proclaimed king of the nation.
- King Abdullah held several posts, including Deputy Chair of the Supreme Committee for King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Chairman of the Supreme Economic Council, and Head of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Talent Care. He also led the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue, striving to enhance Saudi Arabia’s relations with Arab and foreign countries.
The Passing of King Abdullah
King Abdullah passed away on Friday, January 23, 2015, leaving behind a significant legacy of achievements that contributed to the development of Saudi society and the advancement of various economic sectors, particularly industry. He was instrumental in building specialized cities for industry, healthcare, and other facilities that foster economic growth complementary to the oil wealth.