Ahmed Zaki Yamani was born on June 30, 1930, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. His father, Hassan Yamani, was a respected Islamic scholar and judge in the Hejaz region.
His ancestors held prominent religious positions, with his grandfather serving as the Grand Mufti of Turkey, and his family name “Yamani” originating from Yemen, indicating their historical roots.
Yamani pursued law studies and earned a bachelor’s degree in law from King Fuad University (now Cairo University) in 1951.
Later, he was sent by the Saudi government to the Institute of Comparative Law at New York University, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Comparative Jurisprudence in 1955.
With the support of one of his professors, he earned a second Master’s degree in law from Harvard University in 1956.
Career & Political Journey
Ahmed Zaki Yamani was a prominent Saudi politician and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, serving for over 25 years in OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries).
1958: Became a senior legal adviser to the Saudi government.
1963: Appointed as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, succeeding Abdullah Al-Tariki.
1973: Played a crucial role in the oil embargo, leading OPEC to quadruple oil prices.
1975: Was kidnapped in Vienna along with OPEC ministers by the infamous terrorist Carlos “The Jackal”. The hostages were flown across North Africa before being released.
Professional Milestones
1959: Served briefly as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance and later joined the Zakat and Tax Department.
1960: Established his own law firm under his name.
1962: Founded Petromin, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil and minerals company.
1964: Established King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals to train Saudi engineers and executives for the oil industry.
1972: Led negotiations for Saudi Arabia to acquire 25% ownership of Aramco, marking a turning point in the country’s control over its oil resources.
As the Minister of Petroleum, Yamani was a central figure in OPEC’s evolution and had a significant role in shaping global oil policies.
1967: Opposed the idea of an oil embargo during the Arab-Israeli war, believing it was not an effective strategy.
1968: Pioneered the establishment of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), bringing together Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Libya, followed by Egypt, Syria, and Iraq in the 1970s.
Personal Life
Yamani was first married to an Iraqi woman, with whom he had three children:
Mai Yamani (born 1956) – an anthropologist, author, and research fellow at Chatham House.
Maha Yamani (born 1959) – pursued a law degree at Cambridge University.
Hani Yamani (born 1961) – studied business administration.
In 1975, he married his second wife, with whom he had five more children: Faisal, Sharaf, Sarah, Arwa, and Ahmed.
Wealth & Influence
Ahmed Zaki Yamani was ranked among Saudi Arabia’s 50 richest men, with an estimated net worth of $550 million.
Death & Legacy
On February 23, 2021, Yamani passed away at the age of 90 in London. He was laid to rest in Al-Ma’la Cemetery in his hometown of Mecca.
His legacy remains significant in shaping global oil policies, pioneering Saudi Arabia’s economic independence from Western oil control, and fostering diplomatic strategies within OPEC and the Arab world.
See More: Ahmed Zaki Yamani Former Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
