Birth and upbringing in Riyadh
Prince Mohammed bin Salman was born in Riyadh on 31 August 1985 and grew up as the city underwent rapid urban and institutional expansion.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the story01A LIFE & A VISION
Life & journey
Early life, education and public offices.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman was born in Riyadh in 1985. His early environment brought him close to questions of public service and development, and he later earned a law degree from King Saud University before beginning his government advisory career.
His responsibilities developed from advisory work into defence, economic and development portfolios, and later the Crown Prince role. Across these stages, his public work became associated with national transformation programmes, major projects and investment partnerships.
This profile focuses on publicly documented milestones and separates official roles, announced goals and achieved outcomes. Some programmes and projects are therefore presented as ongoing paths rather than completed achievements.
This journey moves through personal, educational and executive milestones before connecting today with economic, security, investment and national-project portfolios. Use the links within each stage to explore related topics.
Education and a legal foundation
He attended schools in Riyadh, studied law at King Saud University and graduated near the top of his class, while also taking part in specialist programmes and courses.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyService at the Council of Experts
He began his government career as an adviser to the Council of Experts at the Council of Ministers on 10 April 2007, gaining experience in regulations and government dossiers.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyMoving into executive work in Riyadh
On 15 December 2009, he became a special adviser to the Governor of Riyadh and held parallel roles in competitiveness, historical documentation and Diriyah development.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyLeading the Crown Prince’s office
On 2 March 2013, he was appointed head of the Crown Prince’s court and special adviser with ministerial rank after moving on from the Riyadh Emirate.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storySupervising the Defence Minister’s office
On 13 July 2013, general supervision of the Defence Minister’s office was added to his duties, broadening his executive responsibilities.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyJoining the Council of Ministers
On 25 April 2014, he became Minister of State and a member of the Council of Ministers, moving from advisory work into direct participation in government.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyDefence and the council phase
On 23 January 2015, he became Minister of Defence, head of the Royal Court and a special adviser to the King, while chairing the General Authority for Military Industries board by virtue of his office.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyChairing the Economic and Development Affairs Council
The Economic and Development Affairs Council was established under his chairmanship on 29 January 2015 to coordinate economic and development portfolios within one institutional framework.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyChairing the Public Investment Fund
On 23 March 2015, he became chairman of the Public Investment Fund, a role connected to investment and major projects in the Kingdom.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyThe Deputy Crown Prince period
On 29 April 2015, he entered a new phase as Deputy Crown Prince and Second Deputy Prime Minister while retaining defence and economic responsibilities.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storySaudi Vision 2030 launches
Saudi Vision 2030 was approved on 25 April 2016 as a long-term framework for economic diversification, quality of life and national sector development.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Vision 2030 approval ↗Read the storyAppointment as Crown Prince
He was appointed Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister on 21 June 2017, while remaining Minister of Defence and carrying other assignments.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Crown Prince appointment order ↗Read the storyChairing the Political and Security Affairs Council
On 27 December 2018, he took on the chairmanship of the Political and Security Affairs Council alongside his development, economic and defence responsibilities.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyAppointment as Prime Minister
On 27 September 2022, the Crown Prince was appointed Prime Minister, bringing the two offices together.
Source: Saudi Press Agency · Biography ↗Read the storyCURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles connected to the transformation journey
Current responsibilities span government leadership and oversight of economic, investment, institutional and national-project boards. They are grouped here for clarity.
- Crown Prince and Prime Minister, combining the stewardship of state affairs with leadership of the government.
- Chairman of the Economic and Development Affairs Council, coordinating economic policy and national transformation programmes.
- Chairman of the Political and Security Affairs Council, within the system overseeing political and security portfolios.
- Chairman of the Public Investment Fund, with a direct connection to investment and major-project portfolios.
- Chairman of the Supreme Council of Saudi Aramco and the Supreme Space Council.
- Chairman of the boards of NEOM, Red Sea Global, ROSHN, Qiddiya and Diriyah Company.
- Chairman of the General Authority for Military Industries and the Royal Commissions for Riyadh, Makkah and AlUla.
- Chairman of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and the Board of Trustees of Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Chairman of the higher committees for combating corruption, research and innovation, and Saudi Green.
- Chairman of the Royal Reserves Council, the Martyrs, Injured, Prisoners of War and Missing Persons Fund, and Soudah Development.