Khalid of Saudi Arabia (original) (raw)

Khalid bin Abdul Aziz (1912 - June 13,1982) was King of Saudi Arabia from the assassination of King Faisal in 1975 until his own death in 1982.

Khalid was named Crown Prince in 1965, after his older brother (and only full brother) Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz declined a place in the succession. A relatively easygoing but pious man, like many members of the House of Saud he died of a heart attack. He had purchased a Boeing 747 with an operating room should he be stricken while on his travels. He was succeeded by Fahd.

During his reign, his notable achievements were that he instituted the second "Five-Year Plan" in Saudi history, which aimed to build up Saudi infastructure and healthcare. He also called numerous summits and inaugerated the Gulf Co-operation Council in 1981.