Mohammed bin Salman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mohammed bin Salman Al Saudمحمد بن سلمان آل سعود |
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Official portrait, 2016
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| Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia | |||||
| Assumed office 21 June 2017 |
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| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
| Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia | |||||
| Assumed office 27 September 2022 |
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| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| 8th First Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia | |||||
| In office 21 June 2017 – 27 September 2022 |
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| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
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| In office 29 April 2015 – 21 June 2017 |
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| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Prime Minister | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Deputy | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad bin Nayef | ||||
| Succeeded by | Muhammad bin Muqrin | ||||
| Minister of Defense | |||||
| In office 23 January 2015 – 27 September 2022 |
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| Monarch | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Prime Minister | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Preceded by | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Succeeded by | Khalid bin Salman | ||||
| Born | 31 August 1985 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
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| Spouse |
Sara bint Mashour Al Saud
(m. 2008) |
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| House | Al Saud | ||||
| Father | Salman bin Abdulaziz | ||||
| Mother | Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain | ||||
| Alma mater | King Saud University | ||||
| Signature | |||||
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Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (Arabic: محمد بن سلمان آل سعود, romanized: Muḥammad bin Salmān Āl Su‘ūd), born on August 31, 1985, is a very important leader in Saudi Arabia. People often call him MBS or MbS. He is the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which means he is the main leader of the country. He is the son of King Salman of Saudi Arabia and the grandson of the country's founder, Ibn Saud.
Mohammed is the first child of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He studied law at King Saud University. In 2009, he started working as an advisor to his father. When his father became king in 2015, Mohammed was made deputy crown prince and defense minister. In 2017, he became the Crown Prince. In 2022, he took over from his father as Prime Minister.
Since becoming Crown Prince in 2017, Mohammed has brought many changes to Saudi Arabia. These changes include reducing the power of the religious police and improving women's rights. For example, the ban on women driving was lifted in 2018, and some rules of the male-guardianship system were changed in 2019. His plan, called Saudi Vision 2030, aims to make Saudi Arabia's economy less dependent on oil. He wants to invest in new areas like technology and tourism.
Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has become more active in global affairs. The country has worked with Russia on energy, improved its relationship with China, and built stronger ties with countries in Africa, South America, and Asia. Mohammed was involved in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen and the Qatar diplomatic crisis.
Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Rise to Power
- Domestic Policies
- Foreign Policy
- Personal Life
- Honours
- See also
Early Life and Education
Mohammed bin Salman was born on August 31, 1985. His father is Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, who later became King of Saudi Arabia. His mother is Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain. He is the oldest of his mother's six children. He earned a bachelor's degree in law from King Saud University.
Starting His Career
After finishing university, Mohammed worked in the private sector for a few years. In 2009, at age 24, he became a special advisor to his father, who was then the governor of Riyadh Province. He held several other roles, like secretary-general of the Riyadh Competitive Council. In 2011, his father became second deputy prime minister and minister of defense, and Mohammed became his private advisor.
Leading the Royal Court
In 2013, Mohammed became the Chief of the Crown Prince Court. This role gave him the rank of a minister. In 2014, he was also appointed as a state minister.
Rise to Power
Becoming Minister of Defense
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When King Abdullah passed away on January 23, 2015, Salman became king. Mohammed was then appointed as the Minister of Defense and secretary general of the royal court. He also kept his role as minister of state.
One of his first big challenges as defense minister was the political unrest in Yemen. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a group of countries to intervene against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This intervention involved air strikes and a naval blockade.
In April 2015, King Salman named his nephew Muhammad bin Nayef as crown prince and Mohammed as deputy crown prince. Mohammed also helped create the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) in December 2015. This alliance of Islamic countries works together against terrorism.
Becoming Crown Prince
Mohammed was appointed Crown Prince on June 21, 2017. This happened after the King decided to remove Muhammad bin Nayef and make his own son the next in line to the throne.
On the day Mohammed became Crown Prince, US President Donald Trump called to congratulate him. They talked about working closely on security and economic matters. Mohammed also told The Washington Post in April 2017 that America's cultural influence was important for Saudi Arabia. In April 2022, Prince Mohammed met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Changes in Leadership (2017)
In May 2017, Mohammed started a campaign against corruption. He stated that "no one will survive in a corruption case—whoever he is, even if he's a prince or a minister." In November 2017, about 200 wealthy businessmen and princes were held at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. Among those arrested was Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, a well-known billionaire.
This action helped Mohammed centralize power in Saudi Arabia. It also changed how decisions were made among Saudi leaders. Many ordinary Saudis supported this move, hoping it would reduce corruption.
Becoming Prime Minister
On September 27, 2022, King Salman appointed Mohammed as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Traditionally, the king has held this title.
Domestic Policies
Religious Changes
Mohammed has worked to limit the influence of the Saudi Wahhabi clergy. He has allowed Western singers, bands, and dancers to perform in Saudi Arabia. This is a big change from past rules. The Saudi government has also promoted a new Saudi identity that focuses less on strict religious heritage.
Less Power for Religious Police
In 2016, Mohammed greatly reduced the powers of the "Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" (CPVPV), also known as the Islamic religious police. This group used to have the power to arrest people for religious violations. Now, they are not allowed to pursue or detain anyone. Cinemas have reopened, and social freedoms have increased.
Changes to Laws
Mohammed has a law degree and has shown his knowledge of Islamic law. He has stated that some religious rules can be interpreted differently based on the time and place. This approach allows him to make changes that might have been difficult before. He has also ordered a new system for Saudi laws that would reduce the power of individual religious judges.
In December 2022, the Saudi Education and Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC) announced that Muslim female students should wear school uniforms, not the traditional abaya, to examination centers. This rule was later clarified to apply only to all-female examination centers run by ETEC.
Economic Plans
Vision 2030
Mohammed is leading a big plan to change Saudi Arabia's economy, called Saudi Vision 2030. He announced this plan in April 2016. Vision 2030 aims to make the economy more diverse and less reliant on oil. It includes goals for increasing non-oil income and privatizing parts of the economy.
One major part of Vision 2030 is the creation of Neom, a huge economic zone planned to cost $500 billion. It will cover a large area on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Neom aims to attract investments in areas like renewable energy and tourism. In November 2017, Saudi Arabia also started issuing tourist visas for foreigners.
In October 2018, Mohammed announced that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was growing quickly. In November 2018, he announced plans to build Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactor. The country aims to build 16 nuclear facilities in the next 20 years.
Oil Industry
Saudi Arabia is a major oil producer. In October 2022, OPEC+ decided to cut oil production. This decision led to higher oil prices. Saudi Arabia stated that this move was to stabilize global oil markets.
Sports Sector
Mohammed has overseen a lot of spending on sports since 2017. He has also worked to bring major sports events to Saudi Arabia, including the FIFA Club World Cup in 2034 and the Asian Games in 2029. He believes this is important for making Saudi Arabia a top tourist destination.
Other Domestic Reforms
Mohammed has created an entertainment authority that hosts various shows, including comedy and sports events. In 2019, Saudi Arabia approved a new residency plan for foreigners, allowing them to live permanently and invest in the Kingdom.
In April 2017, Mohammed announced a project to build one of the world's largest cultural, sports, and entertainment cities in Qiddiya, near Riyadh. This city will include a safari and a Six Flags theme park.
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In October 2017, Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia had not been "normal" for the past 30 years. He stated that he wanted Saudi Arabia to return to being "a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world."
Further cultural changes happened in December 2017 with the first public concert by a female singer. In January 2018, a sports stadium in Jeddah allowed women to attend for the first time. In April 2018, the first public cinema opened after a 35-year ban.
On April 26, 2020, the Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia ended flogging as a punishment. The next day, the Human Rights Commission of Saudi Arabia reported that the death penalty for crimes committed by minors was also abolished.
Human Rights and Changes
While Mohammed has introduced reforms, human rights groups have noted concerns about the treatment of activists. In September 2017, several human rights activists were arrested. Before the ban on women driving was lifted in June 2018, some women's rights activists were also arrested.
In response to international feedback and women's rights efforts, Mohammed has made some changes to improve women's rights. In September 2017, the ban on female drivers was lifted. In 2019, a law was passed allowing women over 21 to get passports and travel abroad without needing permission from male guardians. In February 2018, Saudi women could legally open their own businesses without a male's permission. By March 2018, mothers could keep immediate custody of their children after divorce without lawsuits.
In February 2017, Saudi Arabia appointed its first woman to lead the Saudi Stock Exchange.
Arrest of Muhammad bin Nayef
On March 6, 2020, Muhammad bin Nayef, along with his half-brother Nawwaf bin Nayef and King Salman's brother Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, were arrested. They were accused of treason.
Foreign Policy
Conflicts in Syria and Yemen
Mohammed has been called the architect of the war in Yemen. In 2015, Saudi Arabia led an intervention against Houthi rebels. This conflict has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The United Nations has reported that all sides in the conflict have been responsible for human rights violations.
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On March 28, 2018, Saudi Arabia and the UAE donated US$930 million to the United Nations to help people in Yemen. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia began talks to bring Syria back into the Arab League. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab League summit in Jeddah in May 2023.
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Relations with Israel
In December 2017, Mohammed criticized the United States' decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In 2018, he supported the idea of a Jewish homeland in Israel. In September 2019, he condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to take over parts of the West Bank.
In 2020, Mohammed met with Netanyahu and Israeli Mossad head Yosi Cohen in Neom. The United States has been working to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Mohammed has said his country is moving closer to normalizing relations with Israel. However, due to the Gaza war, Mohammed has called for a global arms embargo against Israel. In November 2024, Mohammed condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “collective genocide.”
Relationship with Russia
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Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2016, they signed an agreement to work together in global oil markets. Russia has also supported the United Nations arms embargo against the Houthis in Yemen. In 2021, Mohammed signed a military cooperation agreement with Russia.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mohammed strengthened his personal relationship with Putin. Russia and Saudi Arabia have worked together through OPEC to cut oil output and increase oil prices. In September 2022, Saudi Arabia helped release five British and two American prisoners of war from Ukraine. In December 2023, Putin visited Saudi Arabia and met with Mohammed.
On March 10, 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has aimed to be a neutral mediator in global conflicts.
Relations with Turkey
In March 2018, Mohammed referred to Turkey as part of a "triangle of evil" along with Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood. However, Mohammed later led a reconciliation with Turkey in 2022, improving relations. In July 2023, the Crown Prince and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed on a deal for Saudi Arabia to buy Turkish drones.
Relations with United States
With the Trump Administration
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In August 2016, Donald Trump Jr., met with an envoy representing Mohammed bin Salman. Mohammed was later invited to the White House and treated like a foreign head of state. He supported the Trump administration's travel ban for nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries. Trump initially supported the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar. The Trump administration also supported Mohammed during the global reaction to the death of Jamal Khashoggi.
With the Biden Administration
In 2019, Joe Biden criticized Mohammed. In July 2021, Mohammed's brother, Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, visited the United States. In September 2021, Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Mohammed.
US-Saudi trade relations have changed. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Saudi Arabia did not agree to US requests to increase oil production. In April 2022, CIA director William Burns met with Mohammed to discuss oil production and Saudi weapons purchases from China.
Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia became strained after OPEC+ announced a cut in oil production. The US government was upset, but Saudi Arabia said the move was to stabilize oil markets. However, relations have warmed with Biden's official visit to Saudi Arabia and other diplomatic efforts.
With the Second Trump Administration
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From May 13 to 16, 2025, Donald Trump made his first major international trip of his second term to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump and Mohammed signed a "strategic economic partnership" agreement. Mohammed greeted Trump at the airport, showing his important role in the Saudi government.
Relations with Qatar
On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, led by Mohammed, started a diplomatic crisis with Qatar. They, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, cut ties with Qatar and imposed a blockade. They said Qatar supported terrorism. On January 4, 2021, Qatar and Saudi Arabia agreed to end the crisis. Saudi Arabia reopened its border with Qatar, and they began to reconcile.
Resignation of Saad Hariri
In November 2017, Mohammed was involved in the resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Hariri later returned to Lebanon and withdrew his resignation.
Saudi–Canadian Dispute
Chrystia Freeland, Canada's foreign minister, expressed concern in August 2018 about the arrest of a human rights activist in Saudi Arabia. In response, Saudi Arabia expelled Canada's ambassador and froze trade. This action was seen as a warning from Mohammed. Diplomatic ties were restored on May 24, 2023.
Death of Jamal Khashoggi
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In October 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was critical of Mohammed, went missing after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials believed he was murdered there. Saudi Arabia denied the accusations at first.
Many people, including former British intelligence head John Sawers, believed that Mohammed likely ordered the killing. Mohammed has denied any direct involvement, blaming "rogue operators." However, Western countries were not convinced. Donald Trump called the Saudi response "one of the worst in the history of cover-ups."
In November 2018, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) concluded that Mohammed likely ordered Khashoggi's murder. After a briefing by the CIA, US senators were also convinced of Mohammed's involvement. In June 2019, a UN report also linked Mohammed to the assassination.
In a PBS documentary, Mohammed said he takes "full responsibility for what happened" because it happened "under his watch," but he denied knowing about it in advance. On February 25, 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report stating that Mohammed "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi." On November 18, 2022, Mohammed received US immunity from lawsuits regarding Khashoggi's murder due to his role as Prime Minister.
Relations with China
Relations between China and Saudi Arabia have grown stronger under Mohammed's leadership. Trade between the two countries has increased significantly. In February 2019, Mohammed defended China's policies in Xinjiang, where many Uyghurs were placed in camps.
China has been Saudi Arabia's largest economic partner since 2014. In 2019, Chinese officials planned to connect Saudi Vision 2030 with China's Belt and Road Initiative. They also expanded economic, cultural, and military cooperation. Since 2021, China has helped Saudi Arabia with its ballistic missile program.
Mohammed hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Riyadh from December 7–10, 2022. During the visit, Xi met with many Arab leaders and signed commercial deals. They also agreed on joint production of UAV systems in Saudi Arabia. On March 10, 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic ties after a deal brokered by China.
Hack of Jeff Bezos's Phone
In March 2019, a security specialist for Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post and Amazon, accused Saudi Arabia of hacking Bezos's phone. In January 2020, an investigation suggested that Bezos's phone was hacked by a message sent from Mohammed's WhatsApp account in May 2018.
United Nations special rapporteurs said the alleged hack suggested Mohammed might have tried to influence The Washington Post's reporting on Saudi Arabia. They also said it was relevant to the investigation into Jamal Khashoggi's death.
Environmentalism
Under Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has worked to influence global agreements on reducing carbon emissions. Mohammed has made promises about Saudi Arabia reaching net zero emissions, but these plans rely on new technologies that are still being developed.
Personal Life
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On April 6, 2008, Mohammed married his first cousin Sara bint Mashour. They have five children.
In 2015, Mohammed bought a large yacht called Serene for €500 million. In the same year, he purchased the Château Louis XIV in France for over $300 million. In 2018, Forbes magazine ranked him as the eighth most powerful person in the world.
In December 2017, it was reported that Mohammed had bought the famous painting Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci for $450 million. This set a new record for the price of an artwork. The painting is believed to be stored in Geneva and will be displayed in a large museum in Riyadh in the future.
Honours
| Styles of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud |
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| Reference style | His Royal Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
Bahrain:
Member Exceptional Class of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (November 25, 2018)
Tunisia:
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic (November 28, 2018)
Pakistan:
Nishan-e-Pakistan (February 18, 2019)
Oman:
Civil First Class of the Order of Oman (December 7, 2021)
UAE:
Collar of the Order of Zayed (December 7, 2021)
Jordan:
Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali (June 21, 2022)
Ukraine:
First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (December 30, 2023)
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See also
In Spanish: Mohamed bin Salmán para niños
- List of current heirs apparent
- List of state leaders by age#Youngest serving state leaders
