Saudi Arabia’s Princess Haifa Al Saud has been responsible for implementing the National Tourism Strategy since 2019. Photo: @HRCSaudi_EN/ Twitter
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Meet Saudi Arabia’s game-changing Princess Haifa: the House of Saud is the richest royal family in the world, but Muhammad bin Saud Al Saud daughter is all about tourism, sport and women’s empowerment
- She’s part of the House of Saud, which has a claimed net worth of US$1.4 trillion, but she’s studied hard nonetheless, with degrees from London, UK and the US
- She holds numerous positions in the nation’s fencing federation, and is reported to have founded Zahra Breast Cancer Association to raise awareness for women
Saudi Arabia’s Haifa bint Muhammad Al Saud is an advocate for the nation’s tourism. Photo: @haifa_al__saud/Instagram
The richest royal family in the world is found in the Middle East, and it is no other than the historic Saudi Arabian monarchy. On its own website, the House of Saud claims its net worth to be around US$1.4 trillion.
The members of the Saudi Arabian royal family also have their own share of fascinating personalities. Haifa bint Muhammad Al Saud, also known as Princess Haifa, has been at the front of the country’s tourism efforts.
So, who is she, and what should we know about this Middle Eastern monarch?
She is the daughter of Muhammad bin Saud Al Saud
Princess Haifa has respectable stature within the Saudi Arabian royal family because her father, Muhammad, is the great-grandson of Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud. The latter is known to be the half-brother of Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, who founded Saudi Arabia.
Though the whole family consists of thousands of royals, Princess Haifa stands out given her good educational pedigree and experience in various fields of expertise.
She has a degree from abroad and has experience working in a multinational bank
Haifa bint Muhammad Al Saud at UNWTO. Photo: @haifa_al__saud/Instagram
This Saudi royal earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven in the US, per Arab News. On top of that, she also holds a master’s degree from the University of London, per Arabian Business.
According to Arab News, Princess Haifa began her career at HSBC Holdings as an analyst. She would then become a senior associate for equity sales before joining the Ministry of Higher Education in 2012 as a consultant.
She is currently the deputy minister of tourism for Saudi Arabia
Haifa bint Muhammad Al Saud as the Deputy Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia. Photo: @haifa_al__saud/ Instagram
In her Bloomberg profile, the Saudi monarch is listed as a board member of the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia.
The former financier recently made headlines when she was appointed deputy minister of tourism. After a recent promotion, she is now vice minister of tourism within the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. In September, the nation made headlines for its new tourist visa scheme which allows US, UK and EU residents to apply for visas on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
She hosted Argentine football star Lionel Messi in the historic city of Jeddah
Lionel Messi and Haifa bint Muhammad Al Saud in Jeddah. Photo: @arabianroyalagency/Instagram
In another effort to bolster the country’s tourism, Princess Haifa gave football superstar Lionel Messi a warm welcome during his tour in Jeddah in May. Per Emirates Woman, the Paris Saint-Germain player landed in the kingdom as part of his new Saudi tourism ambassador role.
The royal tourism official and the football legend were spotted to have been dining with their friends and were also photographed while strolling around historic parts of the city.
“Earlier today, I had a great time showing Messi and his friends around the historic area of Jeddah,” Princess Haifa wrote on her Twitter account. “I am glad that he was mesmerised by its essence, heritage and beauty.”
She is a sports and women’s empowerment champion
Haifa bint Muhammad Al Saud is a women’s empowerment advocate. Photo: @hmalsaud1/ Twitter
The sports-inclined royal once served as the vice chairwoman of the Saudi Fencing Federation and chairwoman of the women’s committee at the Arab Fencing Federation, per Arab News. Princess Haifa also to used be the managing director at the General Sports Authority.
In another monumental feat, Emirates Woman once reported that the Saudi Arabian princess founded Zahra Breast Cancer Association, which raises early awareness for women’s health issues.