Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Net Worth

What is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's Net Worth?

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is a Saudi monarch who has a net worth of $20 billion. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the current King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a role he assumed in 2015 following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah. A senior member of the House of Saud, Salman spent decades in public service before becoming monarch, building a reputation as both a political leader and a steady administrator. He first entered government as the governor of Riyadh Province, a position he held for nearly 50 years. During his tenure, Riyadh grew from a relatively small desert town into a modern metropolis, with major investments in infrastructure, industry, and culture. His management of the province established him as an influential figure within the royal family and a respected statesman in the wider Arab world.

As defense minister beginning in 2011, Salman oversaw the modernization of Saudi Arabia's military, forging stronger ties with Western allies while asserting the kingdom's influence in the region. Upon ascending to the throne, he quickly consolidated power, appointing his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince and empowering him to lead a sweeping program of economic and social reforms under the banner of Vision 2030. The initiative seeks to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil by fostering industries like technology, tourism, and entertainment, while also loosening some social restrictions.

King Salman's reign has also been defined by foreign policy challenges, including the war in Yemen, strained relations with Iran, and shifting dynamics in the global energy market. Despite these pressures, he has maintained Saudi Arabia's position as one of the world's most influential oil producers and a central player in Middle Eastern politics. Widely regarded as a pragmatic leader, his legacy is closely tied to balancing tradition with modernization while shaping the path for future generations of Saudi leadership.

Early Life

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the founder and first monarch of modern Saudi Arabia. He was raised in Riyadh's Marabba Palace and received his education at the Princes' School, a private institution established by his father to educate royal children. There, he studied religion, Islamic law, and modern sciences, disciplines that would guide his later public service.

At the age of 19, Salman entered government service when he was appointed deputy governor of Riyadh Province. After a year in that role, he was promoted to provincial governor in 1963, a position he held for nearly five decades. During his long tenure, he oversaw Riyadh's transformation from a relatively small desert town into a major modern capital with infrastructure, commerce, and cultural institutions that reflected Saudi Arabia's growing wealth and global importance.

Rise to National Leadership

In 2011, Salman was appointed Minister of Defense following the death of his brother, Crown Prince Sultan. This role gave him oversight of Saudi Arabia's armed forces at a time when regional instability was increasing. That same year, he was also named Second Deputy Prime Minister, a position traditionally reserved for a future heir.

In 2012, after the death of Crown Prince Nayef, Salman was elevated to Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister. His responsibilities expanded to include more day-to-day governance, and he occasionally served as acting head of state when King Abdullah was abroad. These years firmly established him as the next in line for the throne.

Accession to the Throne

Salman became King of Saudi Arabia in January 2015 after the death of King Abdullah. One of his first priorities was to reorganize the government's sprawling bureaucracy. He consolidated more than a dozen secretariats into two key bodies: the Council of Political and Security Affairs and the Council for Economic and Development Affairs. These moves were designed to streamline decision-making and improve efficiency at the highest levels of government.

He also reshuffled the cabinet and installed loyalists in key positions, signaling both continuity and change as the kingdom faced shifting global and regional challenges.

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Yemen Conflict and Humanitarian Efforts

Soon after taking power, King Salman launched a military intervention in Yemen against the Houthi movement, a Shia militia backed by Iran. In March 2015, he organized a coalition of ten Sunni-led countries and initiated Operation Decisive Storm, the first Saudi-led air campaign since the Gulf War in 1991.

The conflict drew international criticism, with human rights organizations documenting civilian casualties and alleged violations of international law. In response, the Saudi government created the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) to deliver humanitarian assistance both in Yemen and worldwide. KSRelief has worked with the United Nations and other organizations to provide aid such as prosthetics for war victims, vocational training, and disaster relief. Despite these efforts, the war in Yemen remains one of the most controversial aspects of his reign.

Domestic Policies and Reforms

King Salman's reign has also been marked by cautious reforms. In 2017, he created the Ministry of Culture, tasked with advancing cultural development and promoting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, an ambitious initiative aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil dependency. He also established the Council of Royal Reserves to strengthen environmental protections.

He enacted cabinet changes to adjust labor policies and religious affairs, signaling gradual modernization while maintaining the kingdom's conservative foundations. King Salman has generally been regarded as a traditionalist who emphasizes stability, caution, and continuity in governance.

Transition of Power to Mohammed bin Salman

In June 2017, King Salman appointed his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as Crown Prince, replacing his nephew Mohammed bin Nayef. This move reshaped the line of succession and placed effective day-to-day authority in the hands of his son, who has since spearheaded many of the kingdom's economic, social, and foreign policy initiatives. While King Salman remains the official head of state, observers widely view Mohammed bin Salman as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.

Personal Life

King Salman has married three times and fathered thirteen children. His first wife was Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi, his cousin, with whom he had six children. Two of those children, Fahd and Ahmad, died of heart conditions in the early 2000s. After Sultana's death in 2011, Salman married Sarah bint Faisal Al Subai'ai, with whom he had one son, Prince Saud. His third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain, bore him six sons, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Over the years, King Salman has faced health challenges. He underwent spinal surgery in the United States in 2010, experienced a stroke that affected the use of his left arm, and had gallbladder surgery in 2020. Reports have suggested that he suffers from mild dementia, though he continues to perform ceremonial duties as king.

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