Emir of Kuwait facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emir of Kuwait |
|
|---|---|
| أمير الكويت | |
Arms of His Highness the Emir of Kuwait
|
|
| Incumbent | |
 |
|
| Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah since 16 December 2023 |
|
| Details | |
| Style | His Highness |
| First monarch | Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber |
| Formation | 1752 |
| Residence | Bayan Palace |
The Emir of Kuwait is like the king and leader of the country of Kuwait. It is the most important job in Kuwait. The Emirs of Kuwait are all part of the Al Sabah family.
Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the Emir of Kuwait on December 16, 2023. This happened after the previous Emir, Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, passed away.
Contents
How a New Emir is Chosen
Becoming the Emir of Kuwait is a special process. Only descendants of Mubarak Al-Sabah can become Emir. The job of Emir has also traditionally switched between two main parts of the Al Sabah family. These are the Al-Ahmed and Al-Salem branches.
The current Emir must choose someone to be the next in line. This person is called the crown prince. The choice must be made within one year of the Emir taking power. The person chosen must be an older member of the Al Sabah family.
The Emir also chooses the prime minister for the country.
Leaders of Kuwait Through History
Kuwait has had many important leaders over the years. Here is a list of the Emirs who have led Kuwait since 1752.
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber
|
c. 1700–1762 (aged 61–62) |
1752 | 1762 | According to the official Kuwaiti sources, Sabah I was unanimously chosen for the position of sheikh. | Al Sabah | |
| Sheikh Abdullah I Al-Sabah
|
1740–1814 (aged 73–74) |
1762 | 3 May 1814 | Youngest son of Sabah I bin Jaber | Al Sabah | |
| Sheikh Jaber I Al-Sabah
|
1775–1859 (aged 83–84) |
3 May 1814 | 1859 | Eldest son of Abdullah I Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
| Sheikh Sabah II Al-Sabah
|
1784–1866 (aged 81–82) |
1859 | November 1866 | Eldest son of Jaber I Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
| Sheikh Abdullah II Al-Sabah
|
1814–1892 (aged 77–78) |
November 1866 | 1892 | Eldest son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
| Sheikh Muhammad bin Sabah Al-Sabah
|
1838–1896 (aged 57–58) |
May 1892 | 1896 | Second son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah
|
1837 – 28 November 1915 (aged 77-78) |
18 May 1896 | 28 November 1915 | Son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Jaber II Al-Sabah
|
1860 – 5 February 1917 (aged 56–57) |
28 November 1915 | 5 February 1917 | Eldest son of Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah
|
1864 – 23 February 1921 (aged 56–57) |
5 February 1917 | 23 February 1921 | Second son of Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
|
1885 – 29 January 1950 (aged 64–65) |
29 March 1921 | 29 January 1950 | Son of Jaber II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
|
1895 – 24 November 1965 (aged 69 – 70) |
29 January 1950 | 24 November 1965 | Eldest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah
|
12 April 1913 – 31 December 1977 (aged 64) | 24 November 1965 | 31 December 1977 | Youngest son of Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
|
29 June 1926 – 15 January 2006 (aged 79) | 31 December 1977 | 15 January 2006 | Third son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
| Sheikh Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah
|
13 May 1930 – 13 May 2008 (aged 78) |
15 January 2006 | 24 January 2006 |
Eldest son of Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
| Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
|
16 June 1929 – 29 September 2020 (aged 91) | 29 January 2006 | 29 September 2020 | Fourth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | .jpg) |
| Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
|
23 June 1937 – 16 December 2023 (aged 86) | 29 September 2020 | 16 December 2023 | Sixth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | .jpg) |
| Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
|
27 September 1940 | 16 December 2023 | Incumbent | Seventh son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah |  |
Timeline of Kuwait's Emirs
This timeline shows when each Emir ruled Kuwait. It helps you see how long each leader was in power.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Monarcas de Kuwait para niños
- Politics of Kuwait
