Who was Saud of Saudi Arabia? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman

Died At Age: 67

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi

mother: Wadhah bint Hussein Al-Orair

siblings: Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Fawwaz bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Haya bint Abdulaziz Al Saud, Khalid I bin Abdulaziz, Khalid of Saudi Arabia, Mansour bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Mashhur bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Munira bint Abdulaziz, Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Nura II bint Abdulaziz, Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Salman of Saudi Arabia, Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Seeta bint Abdulaziz Al Saud, Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Turki I bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

children: Abdul Rahman bin Saud Al Saud, Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Abdulmajeed bin Saud Al Saud, Badr bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Bandar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Basmah bint Saud Al Saud, Fahad bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Fahda bint Saud Al Saud, Ghalib bin Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Mansour Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Mashhoor bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Mishaal bin Saud Al Saud, Mishari bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Muhammed bin Saud Al Saud, Sattam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sultan bin Saud

Born Country: Kuwait

Emperors & Kings Saudi Arabian Men

Height: 1.88 m

Died on: February 23, 1969

place of death: Athens, Greece

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

City: Kuwait City, Kuwait

Founder/Co-Founder: King Saud University

More Facts

awards: Developmental coordination disorder
Commander of the Legion of Merit
Order of Umayyad

Order of Abdulaziz al Saud
Legionnaire of Legion of Merit

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1

How long has Saud of Saudi Arabia been in power?

Saud of Saudi Arabia ruled as the King of Saudi Arabia from 1953 to 1964.
2

What were some of the key policies implemented during Saud's reign?

Saud's reign was marked by policies focused on modernization, infrastructure development, and economic growth in Saudi Arabia.
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How did Saud of Saudi Arabia contribute to the development of education in the country?

Saud established several educational institutions and initiatives to promote education and literacy in Saudi Arabia during his reign.
4

What were some of the major challenges faced by Saud during his time as King?

Saud faced challenges such as economic instability, tribal conflicts, and tensions with neighboring countries during his reign.
5

How is Saud of Saudi Arabia remembered in the history of the country?

Saud is often remembered as a ruler who laid the foundation for modernization and development in Saudi Arabia, despite facing various challenges during his reign.

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Childhood & Early Life

Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was born on January 15, 1902, in Kuwait City. He was the second son of Ibn Saud, also known as Abdulaziz. He was born in his grandfather Amir Abdul Rahman’s house in Sikkat Inazza, where his family has taken shelter after they lost to the rivals and left Riyadh in 1880.

During his childhood days, he read and gained knowledge about the ‘Sharia’ and the ‘Quran.’ He was a master in archery and horseback riding. His father also trained him in conducting peace agreements, politics, diplomacy, art of wars, and administration in the traditional Arabian culture.

At the tender age of 13, he participated in his first political mission and led a delegation to Qatar. He fought his first battle in 1915 in Jirrab, followed by two other wars in Yatab and Trubah within the next 4 years

At the age of 21, he set out along with a few camel men to regain his family’s lost power in the state. He proved himself to be a young leader by killing the governor and seizing the castle, thereby rousing the former supporters of his dynasty. Within 2 years, his bravery helped him conquer half of central Arabia.

His military expeditions helped him regain Najran, after which he advanced secretly through the mountains of north-western Yemen. After the end of the war with Yemen, his father encouraged him to travel abroad.

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Foreign Relations

Saud visited places such as Transjordan, Palestine, Egypt, Europe, and Iraq. He represented his father at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI in the year 1937. Saud also visited the US in 1947 to meet President Harry S Truman. Later, he visited several other countries, such as Britain, Italy, and France, to meet their leaders after the Second World War and to join hands with them to help the Palestinian cause.

His visits to these countries helped him form strong bonds with their leaders. With the power of strategic relationships and an efficient budget in the state, Saud was successful in increasing revenues for his country. Owing to his healthy relationship with the US, he was able to link the Saudi Riyal to the American Dollar. His well-established relations with the US also helped him in establishing a central bank named the ‘Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency,’ in 1952.

Saud proved his efficiency in establishing proficient governance and in handling the country’s finances. He made sure to create a proper annual state budget, which was first issued during 1948, thereby generating planned economic growth within the kingdom.

Struggle with His Brother

Of all his brothers, Saud was selected by his father to be the king. This was not accepted by one of his brothers, Faisal. In 1958, Saud had to delegate almost all of his executive powers to Faisal. Later, they also fought an internal battle that revolved around the political responsibilities and the division of government functions. Saud strengthened his position as the king and the de-facto prime minister by abolishing the office of the prime minister by royal decree.

With time, Saud’s regime was weakened by corruption and backwardness. In Saud’s absence, Faisal formed a cabinet of ministers and allied with two other brothers, Sultan and Fahd, to form a new government that did not include any of Saud’s sons. Faisal’s newly formed government promised a 10-point reform system that included the abolition of slavery, the drafting of basic laws, and the establishment of a fully functioning judicial council. When Saud returned, he rejected the new arrangements and threatened Faisal by mobilizing the royal guard against him. Their power struggle continued until Saud was forced into exile in different countries across the world, including Switzerland and England. He spent the last few years of his life in Egypt.

Awards & Achievements

King Saud received many awards, such as the ‘Breast Star of the Order of the Renaissance of Jordan,’ ‘The Order of Umayyad,’ ‘The Order of the Cedar of Lebanon,’ and ‘The Order of the Sun of Afghanistan.’

During his reign, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia instituted a series of orders, medals, and decorations, such as ‘The Order of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud,’ ‘The Star of King Saud,’ the ‘National Military Decoration,’ the ‘Efficiency Medal,’ the ‘Medal of Merit,’ the ‘Medal of Duty,’ the ‘Medal of Duty,’ the ‘Medal of Appreciation,’ and the ‘Palestine Medal.’

Family & Personal Life

Saud’s mother, Wadhah bint Muhammad bin Hussein Al-Orair, was his father’s second wife. He had one full brother named Turki I and a sister named Mounira, apart from many half-siblings. Suad had multiple wives and 108 children.

King Saud was about 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 200 pounds. He had a keen sense of humor and an attractive smile, which he inherited from his father.

On January 24, 1969, he died in Athens at the age of 67. He was buried in the ‘Al Oud Cemetry’ in Riyadh, next to his grandfather’s and father’s graves.

Facts About Saud of Saudi Arabia

King Saud of Saudi Arabia was known for his love of traditional Arabic poetry and was a patron of poets and writers during his reign.

Saud had a passion for falconry and was an avid falconer, often participating in hunting expeditions with his prized birds.

He was a skilled horseman and enjoyed spending time riding and caring for his horses, which were well-known for their beauty and strength.

King Saud had a strong interest in astronomy and supported the development of astronomical research and education in Saudi Arabia.

Saud was known for his generous nature and charitable acts, regularly supporting various philanthropic initiatives and organizations to help those in need.

Saud of Saudi Arabia Biography

You wanted to know

How long has Saud of Saudi Arabia been in power?

What were some of the key policies implemented during Saud's reign?

How did Saud of Saudi Arabia contribute to the development of education in the country?

What were some of the major challenges faced by Saud during his time as King?

How is Saud of Saudi Arabia remembered in the history of the country?