New heirs to the Saudi throne
Since the death in 1953 of the founder of the Saudi state, King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, the line of succession to the throne has passed through his sons, from brother to brother. Prince Salman became king on Jan. 22, and has moved the succession to the next generation. Read related article.
King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud 1876-1953
Reigned for 21 years from 1932 until his death.
Sons of King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud
LIVING
DEAD
BIRTH ORDER OF KING ABDUL AZIZ IBN SAUD’S SONS
About 25 other sons who lived
to adulthood are not shown.
90
years
old
King Salman
1936-
Became king in 2015 after the death of King Abdullah.
King Abdullah
1923-2015
Named Princes Salman and Muqrin as heirs to the throne.
Crown
Prince Sultan
1924-2011
Appointed as heir to the throne in 2005 but died
in 2011.
80
King Fahd
1921-2005
Reigned until his death.
Prince Talal
1931-
Erratic and perceived as unstable; exiled in the 1960s when he criticized the House of Saud.
Succession
to the
throne
Crown Prince Nayef
1933 -2012
Appointed as heir to the throne in 2011 but died one year later.
70
King
Faisal
1904-1975
Assassinated by his nephew Faisal bin Musaid.
Crown Prince Muqrin
1945-
Was appointed deputy heir in 2014 but is no longer in the line of succesion.
King Khaled
1912-1982
Reigned until his death.
King
Saud
1902-1969
Ousted by his brother Faisal.
60
Crown Prince bin Nayef
1960-
The king advanced his nephew to crown prince from deputy crown prince. He will become king when Salman dies.
50
CURRENT AGE/AGE WHEN DIED
NEXT GENERATION
OF PRINCES
40
Deputy Crown Prince bin Salman
1985 ?-
The king named his son second in line. He is currently defense minister.
30
SOURCE: Washington Institute for Near East Policy, staff reporting. GRAPHIC: Cristina Rivero - The Washington Post. Published April 29, 2015.