Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud Biography Quotes 6 Report mistakes

Early Life and Family
Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was a senior prince of Saudi Arabia and for decades one of the kingdom's most influential leaders. Born in Riyadh in 1928, he was a son of King Abdulaziz ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, and Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi. This parentage placed him among the Sudairi Seven, a closely allied group of full brothers that included future King Fahd, Prince Nayef, Prince Salman, Prince Abdulrahman, Prince Turki (II), and Prince Ahmed. Their collective influence shaped succession dynamics, defense policy, and domestic administration for much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Raised in the royal court, Sultan received the traditional education of the time, focusing on religion, history, and statecraft under the guidance of tutors and senior advisers who had served his father.

Entry into Public Service
Sultan's public career began early as the Saudi state transitioned from consolidation to institutional development. He joined the nascent cabinet system in the 1950s and quickly assumed ministerial responsibilities at a time when the kingdom was building modern infrastructure and expanding administrative capacity. Before long he would move into the role that defined his career, combining defense, aviation, and civil aviation portfolios that were central to national security and state modernization.

Minister of Defense and Aviation
Appointed Minister of Defense and Aviation in the early 1960s, Sultan held the position for nearly half a century, an extraordinary continuity that made him the architect of Saudi military development. He oversaw the growth of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Navy, and air defense systems, and supervised the civil aviation sector, including airports and the national airline. Under his stewardship, the kingdom acquired advanced Western weaponry and training, working closely with defense industries and governments in the United States and the United Kingdom. Major programs included the introduction of F-15 fighters, AWACS surveillance aircraft, Patriot missile systems, naval frigates, and modern armored units. In civil aviation, his ministry supported the development of international airports and the expansion of Saudi Arabian Airlines, laying groundwork for later sectoral reforms.

Role in the Royal Court and Government
Sultan also held senior positions within the executive branch as the kingdom's leadership evolved across reigns. When King Fahd ascended the throne in 1982, Crown Prince Abdullah became First Deputy Prime Minister and Sultan became Second Deputy Prime Minister, placing him in the top tier of decision-making on security, procurement, and strategic planning. He worked alongside his brothers King Fahd and Prince Nayef, the long-serving Interior Minister, and frequently coordinated with Prince Salman, then Governor of Riyadh, on development projects and security matters. His remit required close coordination with Crown Prince (later King) Abdullah, particularly on defense and foreign policy issues that intersected with National Guard responsibilities and broader state priorities.

Gulf War and Regional Security
The 1990-1991 Gulf crisis brought Sultan's defense leadership into full relief. As Iraqi forces occupied Kuwait, he helped coordinate Saudi Arabia's response, which included hosting and integrating a large international coalition. He worked with senior U.S. officials during the build-up and execution of Operation Desert Storm, while Saudi commanders managed national forces and Arab contingents. His son Prince Khalid bin Sultan, who served in senior command roles during the conflict, emerged as one of the most visible Saudi military figures of that period. The war accelerated modernization efforts, spurred joint exercises with allies, and reinforced the kingdom's emphasis on layered air defense and rapid deployment capability.

Arms Procurement and International Relationships
Sultan's long tenure was marked by major procurement agreements that aligned the kingdom's defense posture with Western technology and training. He dealt regularly with American and British defense leaders as Saudi Arabia purchased aircraft, naval vessels, missiles, and radar systems. He worked closely with Prince Bandar bin Sultan, his son and the long-serving ambassador to the United States, whose role in Washington was pivotal for navigating U.S. congressional scrutiny of large sales, including the AWACS deal of the early 1980s. These relationships cemented the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and its Western allies while enabling domestic military institutions to gain experience with advanced platforms.

Domestic Influence and Administrative Reach
While best known for defense, Sultan's responsibilities extended into civil aviation, medical services for the armed forces, and administrative committees that coordinated interministerial policy. He was frequently involved in planning for major infrastructure, from air bases and port facilities to military cities. Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz served as his deputy at the Defense Ministry for many years, and other brothers, notably Prince Ahmed and Prince Salman, collaborated with him through their own portfolios. He managed a broad patronage network in which senior officers, technocrats, and regional governors, including his son Prince Fahd bin Sultan in Tabuk, interacted with the ministry on training, procurement, and regional development tied to bases and logistics corridors.

Crown Prince
Following the death of King Fahd in 2005, Crown Prince Abdullah became king and Sultan was named Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister. As Crown Prince, he continued to oversee defense while representing the monarch at high-level meetings and diplomatic events. Health challenges increasingly shaped his schedule; he pursued treatment abroad at intervals, during which time his brother Prince Nayef assumed more day-to-day responsibilities. Despite these periods of convalescence, Sultan remained a central figure in the succession lineup and in the steady management of defense policy.

Philanthropy and Public Works
Beyond state office, Sultan established philanthropic initiatives that reflected an interest in health, rehabilitation, and social services. The Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation supported medical care, education, and housing programs. One of its most visible achievements is the Sultan bin Abdulaziz City for Humanitarian Services near Riyadh, a large rehabilitation and medical complex serving patients from across the kingdom. He also supported scholarship initiatives and humanitarian relief, aligning charitable work with the state's broader social development agenda.

Family and Close Associates
Sultan's family connections were integral to his public life. In addition to Prince Bandar and Prince Khalid, his sons included Prince Turki bin Sultan, who served in senior information and media roles, and Prince Salman bin Sultan, who later held positions in the defense sector. Within the ruling family, he worked closely with King Abdullah during the latter's reign, and his relationships with King Fahd, Prince Nayef, and Prince Salman were central to policy continuity during years of generational transition. His mother Hussa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi, a revered matriarch, remained an enduring reference point for the cohesion of the Sudairi brothers.

Death and Legacy
Sultan bin Abdulaziz died in October 2011 after a long illness. His passing marked the end of one of the longest ministerial tenures in the kingdom's history and prompted a reallocation of key roles: Prince Salman became Minister of Defense, and Prince Nayef was named Crown Prince. Sultan's legacy rests on the transformation of Saudi defense capabilities, the deepening of strategic ties with Western allies, and the institutionalization of training, logistics, and air defense that continue to underpin national security. He was remembered for his longevity in office, his role within the Sudairi Seven, and a philanthropic imprint visible in medical and rehabilitation services that bear his name.

Our collection contains 6 quotes who is written by Sultan, under the main topics: Leadership - Faith - Change - Human Rights - War.