What is Abdullah II of Jordan's Net Worth?
Abdullah II of Jordan is the King of Jordan, ascending the throne in February 1999 after his father King Hussein passed away. He has a net worth of $750 million. Originally, Abdullah's father arranged for Prince Ali bin Al Hussein to take the throne but later changed his mind. Abdullah II is known for liberalizing Jordan’s economy and instituting significant constitutional reforms to grant greater public freedoms. He is admired globally for maintaining stability in Jordan and promoting moderate interfaith dialogue.
Early Life
Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein was born on January 30, 1962, in Amman, Jordan, to King Hussein and Princess Muna Al-Hussein. His dynasty, the Hashemites, is the oldest-ruling dynasty in the Muslim world, having ruled Jordan for 100 years and Mecca for over 700 years. Abdullah has ten siblings, with seven being half-siblings. Heir apparent from birth, Abdullah became heir apparent again in 1992 due to political instability. He was educated at the Islamic Educational College in Amman, St. Edmund's School in England, Eaglebrook School, and Deerfield Academy in the United States.
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Military Career and Higher Education
In 1980, Abdullah began his military career at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and later became a second lieutenant in the British Army. After completing a course in Middle Eastern affairs at Pembroke College, Oxford in 1982, he returned to Jordan to join the Royal Jordanian Army as a first lieutenant and platoon commander. Abdullah also studied at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. His military service continued and in 1994 he took command of Jordan's Special Forces, eventually becoming a major general.
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King of Jordan
Abdullah assumed the throne following King Hussein's death in February 1999. As King, Abdullah holds significant executive and legislative authority, serves as head of state, and is commander-in-chief of the Jordanian Armed Forces. His reign is noted for liberalizing and reforming Jordan’s economy, though economic difficulties arose after the Great Recession of 2008. During the Arab Spring, Abdullah responded to domestic unrest promptly, launching constitutional reforms and implementing changes in laws governing public liberties and elections. He introduced proportional representation in parliament in 2016. Despite criticisms, Abdullah remains popular for his efforts to maintain stability and interfaith dialogue.
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Personal Life
In 1993, Abdullah married Rania Al-Yassin, who is now Queen Rania. They have four children: Prince Hussein, Princess Man, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem. Abdullah enjoys skydiving, water sports, motorcycling, ancient weapon collecting, and stand-up comedy. He published an autobiography titled "Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril" in 2010.
Real Estate
Abdullah owns a global network of real estate properties estimated at over $100 million. This was revealed in the Pandora Papers leak in 2021, which disclosed his ownership of three oceanfront estates in Malibu, California, and properties in London, Ascot, and Washington, DC. His attorneys maintain that his purchases were made with private funds. Previously, Abdullah owned a 15-acre estate in Potomac, Maryland, sold to Dan Snyder in 2000 for $8.6 million. Snyder listed the mansion for $50 million in February 2023.
Honors and Awards
Abdullah has received numerous accolades, including honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Jordan, Georgetown University, the University of Oxford, and Chulalongkorn University. He has been awarded the Golden Shield Award, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, the Peacemaker Award, and the Templeton Prize for his efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue.
