Description

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1924–2015) was King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from 1 August 2005 until his death.

Abdullah was one of the many sons of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. Abdullah held important political posts throughout most of his adult life. In 1961 he became mayor of Mecca, his first public office. The following year, he was appointed commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, a post he was still holding when he became king. He also served as deputy defence minister and was named crown prince when his half-brother Fahd took the throne in 1982. After King Fahd suffered a serious stroke in 1995, Abdullah became the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia until ascending the throne a decade later.