Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Biography

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was the King of Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2015 and the third wealthiest head of state in the world. He was also the custodian of Two Holy Mosques during his reign and served as the Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers and Commander of the National Guard. Born as one of the many sons of Saudi Arabia's founding king, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, he developed a profound respect for religion, history and the Arab heritage from an early age. He was chosen by King Faisal to command the National Guard and later became the Second Deputy Prime Minister upon the succession of King Khalid. When King Fahd ascended the throne, Abdullah was named Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, next in the line of throne. After King Fahd suffered a massive stroke in 1995, Abdullah assumed the role of the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia until ascending the throne a decade later, after King Fahd’s death. In 2005, Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud became the King of Saudi Arabia and ruled in his own right until his death. As the King, he played a leading role in promoting dialogue among the world’s leading faiths and also sought to resolve conflicts in the Arab and Islamic world. He had 30 wives and fathered 35 children. He encouraged large-scale infrastructural development in Saudi Arabia and worked for regional peace, stability and security during his reign