Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, born on August 1, 1924, was a prominent political figure who served as King and Prime Minister from August 1, 2005, until his passing in 2015. He was the tenth son of King Abdulaziz, the founder of the modern Saudi state, and his mother, Fahda bint Asi Al Shuraim, belonged to the historically significant Al Rashid dynasty, rivals of the Al Saud family.

Abdullah's political career began in 1961 when he was appointed mayor of Mecca, marking the start of a lifetime dedicated to public service. He later became the commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard and served as deputy defense minister. Following the ascension of his half-brother Fahd to the throne in 1982, Abdullah was named Crown Prince. After King Fahd's serious stroke in 1995, Abdullah effectively governed the kingdom until he officially became king a decade later.

During his reign, Abdullah fostered strong ties with the United States and the United Kingdom, investing billions of dollars in defense equipment from both nations. He navigated the challenges of the Arab Spring while maintaining the status quo in Saudi Arabia. His personal life was marked by controversy, including the captivity of four of his daughters, whom he had with Al Anoud Al Fayez, whom he married at the age of fifteen.

Abdullah's reign saw the appointment of three crown princes, all of whom were full brothers of King Fahd. Upon his ascension, he named his half-brother Sultan bin Abdulaziz as crown prince. Following Sultan's death in 2011 and the subsequent passing of Nayef the following year, Abdullah appointed Salman bin Abdulaziz as the new heir. Notably, Abdullah was reported to have married up to thirty times and fathered more than thirty-five children, solidifying his status as one of the wealthiest royals globally.

Upon his death in 2015 at the age of ninety, Abdullah was succeeded by his half-brother Salman, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emerged as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.