Born in 1924 to Fahda, the eighth of Ibn Saud's 16 wives, Abdullah has two sisters but no full brothers. Abdullah himself has four wives, seven sons, and 15 daughters.
A devout Muslim, he is said to conduct weekly meetings with top members of the religious establishment to listen to their counsel. In addition, he is commander of the 60,000-man Saudi National Guard, a tremendously important institution in the kingdom. He was appointed commander in 1962 - at age 38 - by the much revered King Faisal. Abdullah has held the post ever since.
Born in 1924 to Fahda, the eighth of Ibn Saud's 16 wives, Abdullah has two sisters but no full brothers. Abdullah himself has four wives, seven sons, and 15 daughters.
A devout Muslim, he is said to conduct weekly meetings with top members of the religious establishment to listen to their counsel. In addition, he is commander of the 60,000-man Saudi National Guard, a tremendously important institution in the kingdom. He was appointed commander in 1962 - at age 38 - by the much revered King Faisal. Abdullah has held the post ever since.
