Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a Saudi businessman and former Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation, held the post from 1969 to 1983.
He later left Saudi Arabia and lived in Egypt for 27 years before returning to the Kingdom.
Early Life
Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz was born in 1932 in Riyadh.
He was the 21st son of King Abdulaziz, and his mother was Hessa bint Ahmed Al-Sudairi.
Prince Turki was one of the renowned “Sudairi Seven” — a title given to the seven sons of King Abdulaziz from Hessa Al-Sudairi.
Education
He studied at the Princes’ School, founded by his father King Abdulaziz.
The school was managed by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Khayyat and Ali bin Ahmad Al-Kadhimi,
and staffed by some of the Kingdom’s most distinguished scholars and intellectuals, entrusted by the King to educate his sons.
Career
Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz was a notable Saudi businessman and statesman.
He served as Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation during the reign of King Faisal and continued under King Fahd.
Before this, he had held several other prominent positions.
Achievements
Prince Turki was appointed Governor of Riyadh on October 10, 1957, at the age of 25, when his brother Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz traveled with King Saud to Lebanon.
On July 25, 1969, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation during King Faisal’s reign.
He remained in this role until 1983, during the early years of King Fahd’s rule.
Afterward, Prince Turki left Saudi Arabia and moved to Egypt, where he resided with his family for nearly 27 years.
He was known for his philanthropic contributions, donating generously to various charities.
He funded the construction of a mosque in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a donation of approximately £300,000.
He also sponsored the education of many students at Western universities and donated to Palestinian refugee camps.
In 2010, Prince Turki returned alone to Saudi Arabia, leaving his family in Cairo.
He was welcomed by some of his brothers upon his arrival in Riyadh.
A few weeks later, his wife Hind Al-Fassi passed away in Cairo.
Personal Life
Prince Turki married Princess Noura bint Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, with whom he had Princess Abeer,
Princess Jawhara, Prince Khalid, Prince Fahd, Prince Faisal, Prince Sultan, and Princess Dima.
He also married Hind Shamseddine Al-Fassi, a Moroccan, who passed away in 2010.
Together, they had Princess Samaher, Prince Abdulrahman, and Prince Ahmed.
Financial Contributions
Prince Turki donated $5 million to the Library of Alexandria.
He also funded the construction of the mosque in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a contribution of approximately £300,000.
Death
Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz passed away on the morning of Saturday, November 12, 2016, in Riyadh, at the age of 84.
He was buried in Al-Oud Cemetery in Saudi Arabia.
