Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud received formal education in Riyadh schools, and education by a group of Islamic scholars. He supplemented his early education with extensive readings in history, culture, and politics. His close involvement for a long time in the Kingdom’s affairs has gained him a profound experience in administration and politics. He commanded the National Guard in 1962, transforming it into a modern military force as well as a cultural institution involved in preservation of national heritage. He became the Second Deputy premier in 1975, and the First Deputy Premier and Crown Prince in 1980. When King Fahd died in 2005, he succeeded him to the throne.
It was well-known about the King that he was courageous and loves reading and sports, especially horseback riding. He cared for education, talented students, and the connection between authentic heritage and modernism through the yearly Al-Jenadriyah cultural and heritage festival in Riyadh, besides his evident contributions in charity and philanthropy work.
This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.