Rulers

List of Kings of Saudi Arabia, 1932 to today

7 kings of Saudi Arabia ruled from 1932 to today. The average reign lasted 13.4 years and the longest was Fahd's, at 23 years. 1 was killed and 1 deposed or stepped down.

7rulers

13.4years, average reign

23 yrslongest: Fahd

1killed (14%)

Every ruler, with the length of each reign

1Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud)

1932 to 1953

Died naturally. Took Riyadh in 1902 and the Hijaz in 1925, then declared the kingdom. Every king since is his son. Reigned 1932 to 1953.

2Saud

1953 to 1964

Deposed or abdicated. Removed by the royal family and religious scholars in favour of his brother Faisal. Reigned 1953 to 1964.

3Faisal

1964 to 1975

Killed. Led the 1973 oil embargo. Shot by his nephew in 1975. Reigned 1964 to 1975.

4Khalid

1975 to 1982

Died naturally. Faced the seizure of the Grand Mosque in 1979. Reigned 1975 to 1982.

5Fahd

1982 to 2005

Died naturally. Took the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and invited US troops in 1990. Reigned 1982 to 2005.

6Abdullah

2005 to 2015

Died naturally. Proposed the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 as crown prince. Reigned 2005 to 2015.

7Salman

2015 to now

Still reigning. His son Muhammad bin Salman became crown prince in 2017 and prime minister in 2022. Reigned 2015 to today.

Bars run from 1932 to today. Reign years follow the usual dates in the standard histories; a few rulers who were deposed and later killed are counted as killed. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Chapter 7: The Modern Muslim World Map of 1923 Dynasty timeline

People

Abdulaziz ibn Saud

How reigns ended, all six dynasties

Rashidun Caliphs5 rulers · 632 to 661

131

60% killed

Umayyad Caliphs14 rulers · 661 to 750

1121

14% killed

Abbasid Caliphs of Baghdad37 rulers · 750 to 1258

22105