Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahمِشْعَلَ الْأَحْمَدَ الْجَابِرَ الصَّبَاح |
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Mishal in December 2024
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| Emir of Kuwait | |
| Reign | 16 December 2023 – present |
| Predecessor | Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
| Heir apparent | Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah |
| Born | 27 September 1940 Kuwait City, Sheikhdom of Kuwait |
| Spouse | Nuria Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Munira Badah Al-Mutairi |
| Issue | 12 |
| House | Sabah |
| Father | Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah |
| Mother | Maryam Marit Al-Huwaila |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (born on 27 September 1940) is the current Emir of Kuwait. He has been the ruler since 2023. Before becoming Emir, Mishal worked for many years in Kuwait's security and intelligence services. When he became Emir at 83, he was the oldest Crown Prince in the world.
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About Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Mishal was born on 27 September 1940. His father, Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was the tenth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait from 1921 to 1950. Mishal is Ahmad's seventh son. He is also the younger half-brother of three past rulers of Kuwait: Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Mishal went to Al Mubarakiya School in Kuwait for his early education. Later, he traveled to the United Kingdom to study at the Hendon Police College. He finished his studies there in 1960.
After college, Mishal joined the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior (MOI). From 1967 to 1980, he led the MOI's intelligence and state security service. He helped develop this group into the Kuwait State Security service. Mishal was its first director.
In 2004, the then-Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appointed Mishal to a high position. He became the deputy chief of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG). This role is one of the most important for Kuwait's defense. Mishal was very influential in the KNG.
At the KNG, Mishal worked to improve the agency. He also helped it join the International Association of Gendarmeries and Police Forces with Military Status (FIEP) in 2019. Mishal left his role at the KNG in 2020 when he was chosen to be Crown Prince.
Becoming Crown Prince
When his half-brother Sabah became Emir in 2006, Mishal was seen as one of the top three decision-makers in the Al-Sabah ruling family. He reportedly turned down other high-ranking jobs. He preferred to avoid political arguments and keep good relationships within his family.
As his half-brother Sabah's health declined, Mishal's influence grew. He often went with Sabah on official trips. This included visits to the Mayo Clinic in the United States for medical care.
After his half-brother Sabah passed away on 29 September 2020, Crown Prince Nawaf became Emir. Kuwaiti law gives the new Emir one year to choose a Crown Prince. However, Nawaf chose Mishal after only eight days, on 7 October. The next day, all 59 members of the Kuwait National Assembly agreed to Mishal's appointment. At 80 years old, Mishal became the world's oldest Crown Prince.
Some experts believed that choosing Mishal, one of the oldest family members, meant Kuwait's leaders wanted to avoid big changes. They wanted to keep things stable instead of moving to a younger generation of leaders.
Mishal was expected to take on more duties than previous Crown Princes. This was because Emir Nawaf was also older. For example, in September 2021, Mishal spoke with US Vice President Kamala Harris. They discussed relations between the US and Kuwait. They also talked about Kuwait's role in helping with the evacuation from Afghanistan.
Due to political problems in Kuwait, Crown Prince Mishal announced the end of the Kuwait National Assembly on 17 April 2023. He explained on TV that the Emir had the power to do this.
Mishal also represented Kuwait at important events outside the country. He attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London in 2022. He also went to the wedding of Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan in 2023.
Becoming Emir of Kuwait
Mishal became the emir of Kuwait after his half-brother Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah passed away on 16 December 2023. Nawaf had been in the hospital since November due to a medical emergency.
In February 2024, Mishal ended the National Assembly. This happened because of growing disagreements between the government and lawmakers. In May, he ended the parliament again and paused some parts of the constitution for up to four years. This followed weeks of political tension after the snap election in April.
Personal Life
Mishal has two wives: Nuria Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Munira Badah Al-Mutairi. He has 12 children, including 5 sons and 7 daughters. He helped start the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society and served as its honorary president. He has also been the honorary president of the Kuwait Aircraft Engineer Pilots Association and the Diwan of Poets.
Honors and Awards
Mishal has received several important honors from different countries:
France: Commander of the Legion of Honour (2018)
Bahrain: Member Exceptional Class of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (2024)
Saudi Arabia: Collar of the Order of King Abdulaziz (2024)
Oman: Collar of the Order of Al-Said (2024)
Qatar: Sword of the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani (2024)
United Arab Emirates: Collar of the Order of Zayed (2024)
Egypt: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile (2024)
Jordan: Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali (2024)
Turkey: First Class of the Order of the State of the Republic of Turkey (2024)
See also
In Spanish: Mishal Al-Áhmad Al-Yáber Al-Sabah para niños
- List of international emiri trips made by Mishal Al-Ahmad
