Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was a Saudi pilot, diplomat, and politician who served as the sixth Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States from October 24, 1983, to September 8, 2005.
Born on March 2, 1949, in Taif, Saudi Arabia, he was the third of 33 children of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who later became Minister of Defense in 1962 and Crown Prince in 2005.
His mother, Princess Khizran, was of Ethiopian descent and originally a concubine of Prince Sultan. After giving birth to Prince Bandar, she was married to Prince Sultan before later being divorced.
Though his mother hailed from the Asir region in the southern part of Saudi Arabia, she played the most significant role in shaping his personality due to his limited connection with his father during his early years.
Education and Military Training
In 1968, Prince Bandar graduated from the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in the United Kingdom.
Later, he pursued further studies, earning a master’s degree in International Public Policy from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
Political and Diplomatic Career
Prince Bandar played a key role in shaping Saudi foreign policy, holding multiple influential positions:
- Saudi Ambassador to the United States (1983-2005)
- Secretary-General of the Saudi National Security Council (2005-2015)
- Director General of Saudi Intelligence (2012-2014)
- Special Envoy and Advisor to King Abdullah (2014-2015)
Major Achievements
As Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. (1983-2005)
Prince Bandar began his diplomatic career in 1978 as a special envoy for the Saudi King.
He was instrumental in negotiating several major deals between Saudi Arabia and the United States, including:
- The Panama Canal Treaty, during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.
- A $200 billion arms deal between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. government.
- The Al-Yamamah arms deal, a massive $80 billion agreement with the UK.
His influence in Washington was so strong that he was granted authority by King Fahd to act independently from the Saudi Ambassador in the U.S.
Involvement in the Gulf War and Middle East Policy
Prince Bandar strongly supported military action against Iraq, particularly during George H.W. Bush’s presidency.
He was also deeply involved in the Middle East peace process and convinced Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to extradite two suspects involved in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing.
During President George W. Bush’s administration, Prince Bandar played a significant role in advancing Dick Cheney’s “New Middle East” strategy, which aimed at reshaping the region.
Resignation and Continued Influence
On June 20, 2005, Prince Bandar resigned as Ambassador to the U.S., but maintained close ties with the Bush administration.
In October 2005, King Abdullah appointed him Secretary-General of the Saudi National Security Council, a position he held until 2015.
His diplomatic missions included:
- Meeting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to discuss regional security.
- Negotiating with Hezbollah leaders to ease the Lebanese crisis in 2007.
- Building international support for Saudi intervention in Bahrain in 2011.
In 2012, he was appointed Director General of Saudi Intelligence, a position he held until April 2014.
Personal Life
In December 1972, Prince Bandar married Princess Haifa bint Faisal, daughter of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz.
She is a social activist and the founder of Zahra Breast Cancer Association in Riyadh.
Together, they have eight children, including:
- Princess Reema bint Bandar – Current Saudi Ambassador to the U.S.
- Prince Khalid bin Bandar – Saudi Ambassador to the UK
Wealth and Assets
Prince Bandar is known for his extensive wealth and luxurious lifestyle.
- He owns a private Airbus A-340 jet.
- He owns Glympton Park Estate in Oxfordshire, England.
- He purchased a 32-room mansion in Aspen, Colorado, in 1989, which became his residence in 1991.
- In 2006, he listed his Aspen mansion for sale at $135 million, making it one of the most expensive properties in the U.S. at the time.
Legacy and Impact
Prince Bandar bin Sultan remains one of the most influential Saudi diplomats in history.
With his exceptional negotiation skills, deep connections in Washington, and strategic involvement in global affairs, he played a crucial role in shaping U.S.-Saudi relations for more than two decades.
See More: Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud The Former Director General of the Ministry of Interior
