Queen Rania of Jordan facts for kids
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Rania in 2024
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| Queen consort of Jordan | |||||
| Tenure | 7 February 1999 – present | ||||
| Proclamation | 22 March 1999 | ||||
| Born | Rania Al-Yassin 31 August 1970 Kuwait City, Kuwait |
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| Father | Faisal Al-Yassin | ||||
| Mother | Ilham Yassin | ||||
| Religion | Islam | ||||
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Rania Al Abdullah (born Rania Al-Yassin, 31 August 1970) is the Queen of Jordan. She is married to King Abdullah II. Queen Rania works on many important projects in Jordan, focusing on education, helping young people, protecting the environment, and improving health. Around the world, she speaks up for education and helps different cultures understand each other better. She has also written three children's books: The Sandwich Swap, The King's Gift, and Enduring Beauty.
Contents
Early life and education
Rania Al-Yassin was born on August 31, 1970, in Kuwait. Her parents were from Palestine. Her father, Faisal Al-Yassin, was from a town called Tulkarm in the West Bank. Rania also has some Turkish family roots from her mother's side. She studied business administration at the American University in Cairo. After graduating, she worked for a short time in marketing at Citibank. Later, she worked for Apple Inc. in Amman, Jordan.
Family and royal life
Rania met Prince Abdullah bin Al-Hussein of Jordan at a dinner party in January 1993. They got married on June 10, 1993, at Zahran Palace. Their wedding day was even a national holiday in Jordan!
Queen Rania and King Abdullah have four children:
- Crown Prince Hussein (born June 28, 1994). He married Rajwa Al-Saif on June 1, 2023. They have one daughter:
- Princess Iman bint Al Hussein (born August 3, 2024)
- Princess Iman (born September 27, 1996). She married Jameel Alexander Thermiótis on March 12, 2023.
- Princess Salma (born September 26, 2000)
- Prince Hashem (born January 30, 2005)
Abdullah became King on February 7, 1999. Queen Rania was officially announced as Queen on March 22, 1999. Queen Rania is a Muslim. She has said that Islam is a religion of peace, kindness, and understanding.
Important work and activities
Since she got married, Queen Rania has used her position to help many different groups of people in Jordan and around the world.
Helping Jordan
Improving education
Queen Rania has started and supported many projects to improve education and learning. She believes that education helps young people get the skills they need for jobs. She also thinks education helps people improve their lives and protects them from harmful ideas.
In July 2005, Queen Rania and the King started an annual award for teachers called the Queen Rania Award for Excellence in Education.
She is also the leader of Jordan's first interactive children's museum, which opened in May 2007. In April 2008, she launched "Madrasati" (which means "My School"). This project helps fix up 500 public schools in Jordan over five years. Queen Rania also created The Queen Rania Al Abdullah Center for Educational Technology in 2001. This center uses modern technology to help education in Jordan.
The Queen Rania Teacher Academy, started in June 2009, offers special training programs for teachers. The Queen Rania Scholarship Program also helps Jordanian students and workers get scholarships and training in many different subjects at universities around the world.
Supporting communities and youth
Queen Rania's first big project was starting the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) in 1995.
The Jordan River Children Program (JRCP) was created by Queen Rania to focus on the well-being of children. In 1998, JRF started its Child Safety Program. This program helps children who are at risk of abuse and works to make people more aware of violence against children. When two children died from abuse in 2009, Queen Rania called an urgent meeting to discuss how the system could do better.
In 2009, to celebrate her husband's 10th year as King, Rania started a community award called Ahel Al Himmeh. This award celebrates groups and individuals who have helped their local communities. Queen Rania also started the Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans in 2003, which helps orphans.
As a special ambassador for INJAZ Al-Arab, Queen Rania has taught classes and talked with young people in other countries. She also helped INJAZ Al-Arab start programs in other Arab countries. At the 2008 World Economic Forum, she launched a campaign called "Empowering One Million Arab Youth by 2018."
Health initiatives
In 2005, Queen Rania started the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS). This group teaches parents and children about healthy eating, staying clean, the benefits of exercise, and the dangers of smoking.
In 2011, the first special hospital building for children in Jordan was built. It's called Queen Rania Children's Hospital. It helps improve medical care for Jordanian children, especially for complex cases like organ transplants.
Working globally
Promoting education worldwide
In November 2000, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) asked Queen Rania to join its Global Leadership Initiative because of her dedication to children and youth. In 2007, she was named UNICEF's first Eminent Advocate for Children. In August 2009, Queen Rania became the Honorary Global Chair of the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI).
Queen Rania has long supported the Global Campaign for Education (GCE). She met with children and inspiring women in South Africa in March 2009. During her trip to the US in April 2009, she helped launch "The Big Read" as part of GCE's global action week, which calls for good basic education for all children. She was also hosted by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, during that trip.
On August 20, 2009, Queen Rania helped start the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign with Gary Lineker and international football players at Wembley Stadium in London. This campaign aimed to get all children into school.
Encouraging cultural understanding
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Queen Rania often talks about how important it is for different cultures and religions to talk to each other. She believes this helps people understand, tolerate, and accept each other around the world. She uses her position to correct wrong ideas that people in the West might have about the Arab world.
She has worked hard to connect with people globally to promote tolerance and understanding. For example, she has spoken at important events like the Jeddah Economic Forum and Harvard University. She also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006 to talk about common misunderstandings about Islam and the role of women in Islam.
In September 2006, Queen Rania also joined the United Nations Foundation board of directors. This foundation creates partnerships to solve the world's biggest problems and supports the UN.
Supporting small businesses
In September 2003, Queen Rania joined the board of directors of the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA).
She was a special representative for the United Nations' International Year of Microcredit in 2005. Her belief in microfinance, which helps people get small loans to start businesses, and her work with FINCA have led to more small businesses in Jordan. FINCA Jordan officially opened in February 2008.
Protecting the environment
In October 2020, Queen Rania became a member of the Earthshot Prize Council. This is a project started by Prince William to find solutions for environmental problems.
Other important roles
Queen Rania helped campaign for Petra to be chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. She even welcomed the New7Wonders team to Petra during their world tour.
International roles and positions
- In November 2000, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) invited Queen Rania to join its Global Leadership Initiative.
- In January 2007, she was named UNICEF's first Eminent Advocate for Children.
- In August 2009, Queen Rania was named co-founder and global co-chair of 1GOAL.
- In July 2009, the United Nations made Queen Rania Honorary Chairperson for the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI).
- In April 2009, the Global Campaign for Education named Queen Rania their Honorary Chairperson.
- In early 2002, Queen Rania joined the board of directors of the International Youth Foundation.
- In September 2002, Queen Rania became a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Foundation Board.
- In September 2006, Queen Rania joined the United Nations Foundation board of directors.
- She is co-chair of the Arab Open University.
- As of 2024, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum.
Honours and awards
Awards and recognition
- 2001: Life Achievement Award of International Osteoporosis Foundation, Italy
- 2002: Ambrogino D'Oro Award from the Municipality of Milan, Italy
- 2002: Gold Medal of the President of the Italian Republic from Pio Manzù International Research Centre, Italy
- 2003: German Media Award from Deutscher Medienpreis, Germany
- 2005: Golden Plate Award, Academy of Achievement, USA
- 2005: Sesame Workshop Award from Sesame Workshop, USA
- 2007: Mediterranean Prize for Social Solidarity from the Mediterranean Foundation in Italy
- 2007: Global Humanitarian Action Award from UNSA-USA and the Business Council of the UN, USA
- 2007: Bambi Award for Attention Based Charity by Hubert Burda Media, Germany
- 2007: John Wallach Humanitarian Award and PeaceMaker Award from the non-profit Seeds of Peace, USA
- 2008: World Savers Award from Conde Nast Traveler, USA
- 2008: David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award from Synergos University, USA
- 2008: First ever YouTube Visionary Award
- 2009: The Marisa Bellisario International Award from the Fondazione Bellisario, Italy
- 2009: North-South Prize by the North-South Prize, Portugal
- 2009: FIFA Presidential Award, Switzerland
- 2010: Arab Knight of Giving Award from Arab Giving Forum, UAE
- 2010: The Leadership Award from White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, USA
- 2010: James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award from Tech Awards, USA
- 2010: Glamour's 2010 Woman of the Year, USA
- 2011: Forbes magazine ranked Rania as one of the world's 100 most powerful women
- 2013: Atlantic Council's Global Citizen Awards, USA
- 2015: Walther Rathenau Award from Walther Rathenau Institut, Germany
- 2015: World Childhood Award from Queen Silvia's World Childhood Foundation, USA
- 2016: Andrea Bocelli Humanitarian Award, Italy
- 2016: Foreign Press Association's Humanitarian Award, UK
- 2016: The Golden Heart Award, Germany
- 2016: Medal of Honor for Women from Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, presented by his Son Sheikh Hamdan at the Global Women Forum in Dubai
- 2017: Global Trailblazer Award, USA
- 2017: The Fellowship Award from Fashion for Relief in Recognition of Her Majesty's Humanitarian Efforts Towards Children Caught in Conflict, France
- 2018: The Influential Personality of the Year Award, at the third annual Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS) in Dubai
- 2020: The PWI Most Beautiful Woman In The World Award 2020
- 2022: Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2022
- 2022: Path to Peace Award 2022
Honorary doctorates
- 2001 Honorary Doctorate in Law (LLD) from the University of Exeter, UK
- 2008 Honorary Doctorate Degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Jordan
- 2008 Honorary Doctorate in International Relations from the University of Malaya, Malaysia
- 2015 Honorary Doctorate in "Science Development and International Cooperation" from the University of Sapienza, Italy
See also
In Spanish: Rania de Jordania para niños
