New Delhi: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is one of the most powerful political figures in the Arab world. The 37-year-old Saudi Crown Prince is also known as MBS.
Why is Mohammed bin Salman trending?
The Saudi Crown Prince became a top trend on social media after reports surfaced on social media of Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s “excellent support” during the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan in April. During his conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince, PM Modi also sent his best wishes for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders spoke over the phone on various topics of bilateral cooperation and shared their perspectives on several global and multilateral issues of relevance.
The Saudi Crown Prince expressed his full support for India’s activities during the current G20 Presidency and expressed his enthusiasm for his visit to India. Both leaders agreed on the need for continued dialogue.
Members of the powerful Saudi royal family
born August 31, 1985), MBS was named Crown Prince in 2017 and Prime Minister in the year 2022. Between 2015–22, Mohammed bin Salman served as the Defense Minister. Mohammed bin Salman is the son of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his third wife, Fahdah bint Falah ibn Sultan. In the absence of his father, 86-year-old King Salman, Mohammed bin Salman has rarely represented his country and the Arab world as a de facto leader since 2019. Mohammed bin Salman is the eldest of his mother’s children and the eldest. Eight children and the seventh son of his father. He attended King Saud University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in law.
MBS’s Role as Saudi Prime Minister
Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s new role as prime minister included representing the kingdom on foreign visits and presiding over summits organized by the kingdom.
de facto ruler of saudi arabia
While his father, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, remains King of Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince has without a doubt greatly consolidated and taken complete control of the country. His father, King Salman, became King of Saudi Arabia and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia in January 2015 upon the death of King Abdullah. At that time MBS became the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. MBS became the First Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia in June 2017.
He served as Deputy Crown Prince and Second Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from April 2015 to June 2017, and became Minister of Defense in January 2015. Mohammed bin Salman has also served as chairman of the Economic and Development Affairs Council. The Saudi Crown Prince remains the fulcrum around which Middle Eastern geopolitics continues to move.
What is his total net worth?
The combined net worth of the House of Saud, the Saudi clan, is estimated to be around USD 1.4 trillion and is sixteen times more than that of the British royal family at USD 88 billion. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has a net worth of $5 billion. In 2015, Mohammed bin Salman spent USD 299 million to acquire a large mansion called Château Louis XIV in France. In 2017 he bought a superyacht named “Serene” for USD 500 million. While the King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia are exceptionally wealthy, their net worth has not been disclosed. However, many speculate that the actual ruler MBS could be worth an estimated $25 billion. When asked about his luxurious life, MBS told CBS, “As far as my personal expenses are concerned, I am a rich person, not a poor person. Saudi Arabia.”