Saudi Arabia - Personal background

King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud was born in 1923. His mother Hassa, the fifth wife of Abdul Aziz, belonged to the Sudayri clan. He obtained his early education at the palace school and later received practical training at his father's court. He was exposed to domestic and international political events at an early age. He was only nine years old when the kingdom was officially founded. He accompanied his elder brother, Faisal, to the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945 and represented his country at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1953. Also in 1953, he became the first minister of education in the country's history. Since then, he has played a significant role in the modernization of the country. Under his supervision elaborate programs were launched to establish schools in all parts of Saudi Arabia and to encourage girls to enter

public schools. In 1962, he became minister of interior when a new cabinet was formed under Faisal.