People talk about Saudi Arabia like it’s a one-man show run by the Crown Prince. Honestly, that’s not the whole story. While Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) grabs the headlines for Neom and high-stakes diplomacy, Salman of Saudi Arabia remains the ultimate authority, the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques," and the man who fundamentally green-lit the Kingdom's massive pivot into the 21st century.
You've probably seen the news updates about his health. Just this past Friday, January 16, 2026, the Royal Court announced he was discharged from King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh after medical tests. They said the results were "reassuring." At 90 years old, he is the oldest living monarch in the world. He’s also the last of his kind.
The Last Son of the Founder
King Salman is the 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the man who literally unified the country. This isn't just a fun trivia fact. It means Salman is the final bridge between the old Bedouin world of his father and the hyper-modern, tech-driven Saudi Arabia we see today.
Most people don't realize he spent almost 50 years as the Governor of Riyadh. Imagine that. Half a century in one job. When he started, Riyadh was basically a dusty town of 200,000 people. By the time he left for the Ministry of Defense in 2011, it was a sprawling metropolis of over 5 million. He didn't just watch it grow; he was the architect.
The Sudayri Seven Factor
He’s part of the "Sudayri Seven." This was a powerful bloc of seven full brothers—sons of King Abdulaziz and Hassa bint Ahmed Al Sudairi. They’ve dominated Saudi politics for decades. Salman was always the "family referee." If there was a dispute between royal cousins or brothers, he was the one who sat them down and fixed it. This role as a mediator is exactly why his transition to the throne in 2015 was so smooth, despite the radical changes that followed.
What Salman of Saudi Arabia Actually Changed
When Salman took over in 2015, everyone expected a quiet, traditional reign. He was 79. Instead, he unleashed a whirlwind. Within days, he tore down old government secretariats and replaced them with two streamlined councils. He basically cleared out the "old guard" to make room for the youth.
Wait, didn't MBS do that?
Sort of. But King Salman signed the decrees. Without his royal seal, Vision 2030 would just be a PowerPoint presentation. He was the one who broke tradition by appointing his son as Crown Prince, moving the line of succession from the sons of the founder to the grandsons. That was a massive, risky gamble that reshaped the Middle East.
Significant Reforms Under His Reign
- Women Driving: The 2017 decree that finally let women get behind the wheel.
- The Religious Police: Their power to arrest people in the streets was stripped away.
- Vision 2030: The total overhaul of the economy to stop relying on oil.
- Yemen Intervention: A much more "assertive" (and controversial) foreign policy compared to previous kings.
It's a weird mix. On one hand, you have the reopening of cinemas and massive concerts. On the other, you have a period of intense political consolidation and crackdowns on dissent. King Salman's reign hasn't been "quiet" by any stretch of the imagination.
✨ Don't miss: How Many Electoral Votes Michigan Actually Has in 2026 (And Why It Kept Changing)
Living History in 2026
Fast forward to today. Salman is 90. He is the third oldest living head of state on the planet.
Even though he handed the Prime Minister title to MBS in 2022—the first time a king hasn't held that post since the 60s—he still chairs the weekly cabinet meetings when he's up for it. He is the legitimizer. In a country where tribal roots and tradition still carry weight, his presence prevents the "reform train" from jumping the tracks.
He’s seen it all. He was alive when the first oil was discovered in the Kingdom. He was there when the first skyscrapers went up in Riyadh. Now, he’s watching his son build a literal 170-kilometer-long mirrored city in the desert.
Why the "De Facto" Narrative is Slightly Wrong
You'll hear analysts say MBS is the "de facto" ruler. That's true for day-to-day stuff, sure. But in the Saudi system, the King is the source of all power. If Salman wanted to change the succession tomorrow, he legally could. He chooses not to. His legacy is tied to the success of his son's vision.
Actionable Insights for Following Saudi News
If you’re trying to understand where the Kingdom is headed, don’t just look at the flashy Neom trailers. Watch the Royal Court announcements.
- Monitor the Allegiance Council: This is the body that will confirm the next transition. Salman’s ability to keep this group unified is his most underrated skill.
- Watch the Hospital Reports: As we saw on January 16, even a routine check-up for the King sends ripples through global oil markets and regional diplomacy.
- Distinguish between King and PM: Salman is the King (the state); MBS is the PM (the government). This distinction matters for legal and international treaties.
The story of Salman of Saudi Arabia is really the story of a man who realized that for his father’s Kingdom to survive, it had to change everything. He didn't just witness history; he was the one who finally turned the page on the founder's era.
Next Steps for You:
To get a better grasp of the current power dynamic, you should look into the specific roles of the Council of Political and Security Affairs and the Council for Economic and Development Affairs. These are the two engines Salman created to run the modern state. Understanding who sits on these boards tells you more about the future than any official press release.