Muhammad bin Salman, commonly known as MBS, was born on August 31, 1985, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his third wife, Fahda bint Falah bin Sultan Al Hithalayn.
Early Life of MBS
MBS grew up in the Al Saud royal family, one of the most powerful and influential families in the Middle East. He received his early education in Riyadh and later went on to study law at King Saud University.
As Defense Minister
In 2009, MBS began his career in public service, working as a consultant for the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington D.C. He later held various positions within the Saudi government, including serving as the secretary-general of the Crown Prince’s court and as the minister of defense.
Crown Prince of KSA
In June 2017, MBS was appointed as Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, after his father ascended to the throne. Since then, he has undertaken a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the Saudi economy and society, including the Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy.
Part of Several Controversies
MBS has also been involved in several controversial initiatives, such as the blockade of Qatar and the war in Yemen. In October 2018, the Saudi government was implicated in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which drew widespread international criticism. MBS has denied any involvement in the killing.
Leadership Qualities
Despite the controversies, MBS has been widely regarded as a dynamic and ambitious leader, who is keen on bringing about significant changes to Saudi Arabia. His leadership style has been described as bold and decisive, but also authoritarian and unpredictable. MBS is married and has four children. He is known to enjoy outdoor activities such as hunting and hiking, and is also a music enthusiast.
