Faisal Ibn Abd al-Aziz (1905–1975)

King of Saudi Arabia from 1964. Ruling without a prime minister, he instituted a successful programme of economic modernization, using Saudi Arabia's vast annual oil revenues, which grew from $334 million in 1960 to $22.5 billion in 1974, after the quadrupling of world oil prices in 1973–74. A generous welfare system was established, including free medical care and education to postgraduate level, and subsidized food, water, fuel, electricity, and rents; slavery was outlawed; and financial support was given to other Arab states in their struggle with Israel. In March 1975 Faisal was assassinated by a mentally unstable nephew, Prince Museid, and his half-brother Khalid became king.

Born in Riyadh, he was one of 43 sons of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, the founder of the Saudi dynasty. Faisal fought alongside his father and, in 1925, led the army to victory over Hussein ibn Ali, in the Al Hijaz (the Hejaz) region of western Arabia. He became viceroy of Al Hijaz in 1932 and Saudi foreign minister from 1940. During the ‘first oil boom’ of 1947–52, he played a key role in shaping Saudi policies. In 1953, when his elder half-brother Saud became king, Faisal was declared Crown Prince and continued as foreign minister. He later served as prime minister from 1958–60 and from 1962 onwards. An advocate of gradual modernization and westernization, Faisal came into conflict with the more conservative King Saud from the 1960s and in November 1964 Saud was forced to abdicate in Faisal's favour.