'Iffat Al Thunayan

Joseph A. Kechichian

ʻIffat Al Thunayan, spouse of the late King Faysal bin ʻAbdul ʻAziz Al Saʻud (ruled 1964–1975), was a pillar of the ruling Al Saʻud family. Born and raised in Istanbul to an uprooted Saʻudi family, she returned to the Kingdom in 1932, a few months before the founder ruler, ʻAbdul ʻAziz bin ʻAbdul Rahman, reinstituted the monarchy. ʻIffat used her influence to infiltrate many progressive ideas into the Kingdom, including significant strides in education for both boys and girls as well as major advances in health care. An astute observer and a doer par excellence, Queen ʻIffat left her mark on the contemporary history of the Al Saʻud, as she protected and empowered her kin. She raised a formidable family, listened carefully, guided conversations as necessary, spoke with moderation, and recommended policies to her husband and, after he was assassinated, to her brothers-in-law who...