In the modern history of the House of Saud — the dynasty that has ruled the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since its founding in 1932 — no monarch has come to the throne in as elaborate a generational handover as King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Riyadh-born son of the country's founder Ibn Saud, who served for nearly fifty years as Governor of Riyadh (1955–2011), as Minister of Defence (2011–2015), as Crown Prince (2012–2015), and who at seventy-nine acceded as King of Saudi Arabia on 23 January 2015 — is one of the most powerful Arab monarchs of the modern era. Behind every appearance sits the largest royal family on earth: thousands of Al Saud princes and princesses, of whom Salman is the eldest currently-reigning patriarch.
The Family's Roots: The House of Saud
The Saudi royal family — Al Saud — traces back to Muhammad bin Saud, who founded the First Saudi State in 1727. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded by King Abdulaziz ibn Saud in 1932.
Salman was born in Riyadh on 31 December 1935.
His Father: King Abdulaziz ibn Saud
King Abdulaziz Al Saud (Ibn Saud) (c. 1875 – 9 November 1953) was the founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He had 22 documented wives through his lifetime and approximately 45 sons plus dozens of daughters.
His Mother: Princess Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi
Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi was one of Abdulaziz's wives and the mother of seven of his sons — the "Sudairi Seven" — who became among the most powerful of the second generation. Salman is one of these seven brothers.
His Brothers: The Sudairi Seven
The Sudairi Seven (six of whom served as senior ministers or kings) — sons of Abdulaziz and Hassa Al Sudairi:
- King Fahd (1921 – 2005) — King 1982–2005
- Prince Sultan (1928 – 2011) — Crown Prince
- Prince Abdul Rahman (1931 – 2017) — Deputy Defence Minister
- Prince Nayef (1934 – 2012) — Crown Prince
- Prince Turki (1932 – 2016) — Deputy Defence Minister
- King Salman (b. 31 December 1935)
- Prince Ahmed (b. 1942)
His Wives
Salman has had multiple wives in keeping with Saudi royal tradition. His three most prominent wives have been:
Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi (died 2011) — his first wife and mother of six children including the late Prince Fahd bin Salman.
Sara bint Faisal Al Subai'ai — mother of several children.
Fahda bint Falah bin Sultan Al Hithlain (his third wife) — mother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
His Children
Salman has at least 13 known children. The most prominent:
Prince Fahd bin Salman (1955 – 2001). Prince Sultan bin Salman, born 27 June 1956 — Saudi Arabia's first astronaut (1985 NASA flight). Prince Ahmed bin Salman (1958 – 2002). Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, born 1960 — Minister of Energy. Prince Faisal bin Salman, born 1970. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), born 31 August 1985 — Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the country's de facto ruler since 2017. Princess Hassa bint Salman.
The Saudi Royal Family Tree at a Glance
Dynasty
- House of Saud (Al Saud)
- Modern Kingdom established 1932 by King Abdulaziz ibn Saud
Father
- King Abdulaziz ibn Saud (1875 – 9 November 1953)
Mother
- Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi — mother of the "Sudairi Seven"
Brothers (Sudairi Seven)
- King Fahd, Prince Sultan, Prince Abdul Rahman, Prince Nayef, Prince Turki, King Salman, Prince Ahmed
King Salman
- Born 31 December 1935, Riyadh
- Governor of Riyadh Province (1955 – 2011)
- Minister of Defence (2011 – 2015)
- Crown Prince (2012 – 2015)
- King of Saudi Arabia from 23 January 2015
Notable Children
- Late Prince Fahd bin Salman (1955 – 2001)
- Prince Sultan bin Salman (b. 27 June 1956) — first Arab astronaut
- Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (b. 1960) — Minister of Energy
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) (b. 31 August 1985) — Prime Minister and Crown Prince
What the Saudi Royal Family Story Teaches Us
A founder father with 22 wives and 45+ sons. A mother whose seven sons became the "Sudairi Seven" power bloc. A son who served as Governor of Riyadh for 56 years before becoming King. Thirteen-plus known children, including a Crown Prince son who is now the country's de facto ruler. From the House of Saud comes one of the largest documented royal families in modern history — with thousands of princes and princesses.
For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Saudi royal story carries the same lesson. Some families are enormous. The Saudi royal tree has thousands of nodes. Most family trees are smaller — but the principle is the same: write down everyone you know about. Even if your family has hundreds of cousins, each one is a real entry on a real tree.
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