Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud

Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (c. 1930 – 2011) was a long-serving Saudi prince who held key roles including Minister of Defense and Crown Prince. Learn about his life, influence, and contributions to Saudi Arabia.

Introduction

Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (often styled Prince Sultan) was a senior member of the Saudi royal family and a central figure in the governance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for decades. Though accounts vary on his birth year (some sources say 1925, 1930, or 1931) he died on October 22, 2011. During his lifetime, he held major portfolios—most notably as Minister of Defense and Aviation from 1963 until his death—and was designated Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister from 2005 until 2011.

Early Life, Family & Education

Prince Sultan was a son of King Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud), the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, and Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi. He belonged to the powerful Sudairi Seven, a bloc of full brothers born to King Abdulaziz and Hussa bint Ahmed, which included future kings Fahd, Nayef, and Salman.

Details about his formal education are limited in public sources, but as was typical for Saudi princes of his generation, he likely received training at the royal court in religious, diplomatic, and administrative matters.

Public Career & Key Roles

Early Roles & Governance

• Prince Sultan’s early public service included being appointed Governor of Riyadh Province from 1947 to 1953.

• He also held ministerial roles in agriculture and transport in the 1950s, contributing to early infrastructure and modernization efforts within the young kingdom.

Minister of Defense & Aviation

In 1963, Sultan was appointed Minister of Defense and Aviation, a position he retained for nearly five decades until his death in 2011. Under his stewardship, Saudi Arabia became one of the world’s major arms importers, especially from the U.S. and the U.K. He oversaw procurement of aircraft, missiles, and air defense systems, though critics have noted challenges in maintenance, integration, and strategic coherence of the acquisitions.

Senior Leadership & Crown Prince

• From June 13, 1982, Sultan also served as Second Deputy Prime Minister, under King Fahd.

• After King Fahd’s death and the succession shifts, Sultan was designated Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister on August 1, 2005.

• Though he held the title of heir apparent, his influence was sometimes overshadowed by internal royal family dynamics and by King Abdullah and other siblings.

Character, Influence & Controversies

Reputation & Philanthropy

Prince Sultan was often called “Sultan al-Khair” (Sultan the Good / Sultan of Generosity) in Saudi Arabia for his philanthropic works and charitable projects. He founded the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation in 1995, which supports health care, education, social welfare, and medical relief projects both within Saudi Arabia and abroad.

He also played a role in establishing Prince Sultan University (Riyadh), the first non-profit private university in the Kingdom, named in his honor.

Power & Limitations

While long in office, his actual control over defense policy and arms deals was sometimes moderated by the king or other senior princes. Toward the later years of his life, his health constraints limited his active role.

He was also linked in some public and diplomatic commentary to arms procurement controversies and corruption allegations—particularly in the context of large defense contracts like the Al Yamamah arms deals with the UK—though direct proven legal accountability remains disputed in public sources.

Health, Decline & Death

In his later years, Prince Sultan suffered from colon cancer and underwent multiple operations. Reports also suggest he developed Alzheimer’s disease / dementia at the end of his life.

He passed away on October 22, 2011, in New York City, while travelling for medical treatment. He was buried in Al Oud cemetery in Riyadh on October 25, 2011.

Legacy & Impact

Prince Sultan’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Continuity & Stability: Over nearly fifty years in office, he provided continuity in defense and royal governance across multiple reigns (Faisal, Khalid, Fahd, Abdullah).

• Arms & Military Modernization: His tenure shaped Saudi Arabia’s posture as a major arms consumer, deeply intertwining the kingdom with global defense industries.

• Philanthropy & Social Projects: Through his foundation and charitable initiatives, he contributed to health care, education, and social welfare in the Kingdom and beyond.

• Succession Dynamics: As Crown Prince, his designation and later death influenced the shifting balance among powerful Saudi royal factions, paving the way for his brother Nayef (and later Salman) in the royal succession line.

Selected Quotes & Attributions

Public records do not preserve many widely cited personal quotes from Prince Sultan. However, some attributed remarks in Arabic media and royal discourse reflect his charitable ethos and role in defense discourse. Because of limited and region-specific sources, I do not present uncertain attributions here.