Emir of Kuwait facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emir of Kuwait |
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أمير الكويت | |
![]() Arms of His serene Highness the Emir of Kuwait
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Incumbent | |
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Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah since 16 December 2023 |
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Details | |
Style | His serene Highness |
First monarch | Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber |
Formation | 1718 |
Residence | Bayan Palace |
The Emir of the State of Kuwait is the ruler and leader of Kuwait. This is the most powerful position in the country. 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. He took over after the death of Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Contents
How a New Emir is Chosen
The rules for becoming the Emir of Kuwait are very specific. Only descendants of Mubarak Al-Sabah can become Emir. The role of Emir has also traditionally switched between two main parts of the Al Sabah family. These are the Al-Ahmed and Al-Salem branches.
Choosing the Next Ruler
The current Emir must choose a person to be the next ruler within one year of becoming Emir. This person, called the Crown Prince, must be an important member of the Al Sabah family. The Emir also chooses the Prime Minister.
Kuwait's Past Rulers
This section lists the leaders of Kuwait since 1752. They are all from the Al Sabah family.
Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
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Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber
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c. 1700–1762 (aged 61–62) |
1718 | 1762 | According to the official Kuwaiti sources, Sabah I was unanimously chosen for the position of sheikh. | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Abdullah I Al-Sabah
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1740–1814 (aged 73–74) |
1762 | 3 May 1814 | Youngest son of Sabah I bin Jaber | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Jaber I Al-Sabah
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1775–1859 (aged 83–84) |
3 May 1814 | 1859 | Eldest son of Abdullah I Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Sabah II Al-Sabah
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1784–1866 (aged 81–82) |
1859 | November 1866 | Eldest son of Jaber I Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Abdullah II Al-Sabah
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1814–1892 (aged 77–78) |
November 1866 | 1892 | Eldest son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | |
Sheikh Muhammad bin Sabah Al-Sabah
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1838–1896 (aged 57–58) |
May 1892 | 1896 | Second son of Sabah II Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | ![]() |
Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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16 June 1929 – 29 September 2020 (aged 91) | 29 January 2006 | 29 September 2020 | Fourth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | ![]() |
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
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23 June 1937 – 16 December 2023 (aged 86) | 29 September 2020 | 16 December 2023 | Sixth son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | ![]() |
Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
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27 September 1940 | 16 December 2023 | Incumbent | Seventh son of Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah | Al Sabah | ![]() |
Timeline of Emirs
This timeline shows when each Emir ruled Kuwait.

Related Topics
- Politics of Kuwait
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Monarcas de Kuwait para niños