Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has been the Crown Prince of Bahrain since 1999, and the Prime Minister of Bahrain since 2020. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force from 1999 to 2008.
Early life and education
Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 21 October 1969, as the eldest son of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. After Hamad became Emir of Bahrain Salmon was sworn in as crown prince on 9 March 1999.Salman was educated in Bahrain, and graduated from American University with a bachelor of arts in public administration in 1992, and the University of Cambridge with a master's degree in philosophy and history in 1994.
Career
At the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research Salman was appointed vice-chair of the board of trustees in 1992, and then served as chair from 1995 to 1999. He was appointed chair of the Bahrain Economic Development Board on 3 March 2002, and was in charge of developing Bahrain's economy. He was appointed chair of the Supreme Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security on 15 July 2013, and worked to increase Bahrain's exploration of oil.Salman became Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on 22 March 1999, and held the position until his appointment as Deputy Supreme Commander on the Armed Forces on 6 January 2008.
Hamad appointed Salman as First Deputy Prime Minister in March 2013. On 11 November 2020, he was appointed as Prime Minister of Bahrain. He attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Personal life
Salman married Hala bint D'aij Al Khalifa, with whom he had four children before their divorce and her death on 10 June 2018. He can speak Arabic and English.Honours and awards
Salman has been awarded a number of honors, including:- An honorary doctorate in conjunction with the Order of the Eagle Exemplar by the United States Sports Academy.
- Bahrain: Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, First Class
- Bahrain: Order of Ahmad the Conqueror, First Class
- Bahrain: King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, First Class
- Bahrain: Order of Bahrain, First Class
- Bahrain: Hawar Medal, First Class
- Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance
- Kuwait: Order of the Liberation, First Class
- UAE: Collar of the Order of Etihad
- USA: Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement