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Queen Rania of Jordan

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Queen Rania of Jordan, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 2025
Rania Al Abdullah
Born
Rania Al-Yassin

(1970-08-31) August 31, 1970 (age 56)
Kuwait
Occupation(s)Queen of Jordan, advocate, author
Known forQueen of Jordan, promoting education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, healthcare programs
Notable workThe Sandwich Swap, The King's Gift, Eternal Beauty

Rania Al Abdullah (née Rania Al-Yassin, born 31 August 1970) holds the title of Queen of Jordan as the spouse of King Abdullah II. Her primary domestic efforts concentrate on advancing education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and healthcare programs. On the international stage, she promotes educational initiatives and fosters intercultural understanding. She is also the author of three children's books: The Sandwich Swap, The King's Gift, and Eternal Beauty.

Early life

Born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents, Rania Al-Yassin's father, Faisal Al-Yassin, originated from Tulkarm in the West Bank. She completed her schooling at the New English School in Kuwait and pursued a degree in business administration at the American University in Cairo. Following her studies, she briefly worked in marketing at Citibank before joining Apple Inc. in Amman, Jordan.

Personal life

Rania encountered Jordanian Prince Abdullah bin Al-Hussein during a dinner event in January 1993. Their marriage took place on 10 June 1993 at Zahran Palace, with the occasion declared a national holiday. The royal couple has four children:

King Abdullah ascended to the throne on 7 February 1999, officially naming Rania as queen on 22 March 1999.

Queen Rania practices Islam and characterizes it as "a religion of peace, tolerance and mercy," serving as a source of solace and strength for more than 1.6 billion followers worldwide.

Activities

Since becoming queen, Rania has utilized her platform to champion a variety of causes both within Jordan and internationally.

Education

Queen Rania has spearheaded numerous educational programs aimed at preparing young people with practical skills for employment. She regards education as essential for empowerment, reducing poverty, and preventing extremist recruitment.

In July 2005, together with the Ministry of Education, King Abdullah and Queen Rania inaugurated the annual Queen Rania Award for Excellence in Education. She also serves as chairperson of Jordan’s first interactive museum for children, which opened its doors in May 2007.

April 2008 saw the launch of "Madrasati" ("My School"), a collaborative public-private effort to renovate 500 public schools over a five-year span. In addition, she established The Queen Rania Al Abdullah Center for Educational Technology in 2001 to promote modern technology integration within Jordan’s educational system.

The Queen Rania Teacher Academy was introduced in June 2009 to provide professional development opportunities for teachers through a partnership with the Ministry of Education. Furthermore, the Queen Rania Scholarship Program partners with international universities to offer scholarships and training opportunities for Jordanians across disciplines including management, marketing, design, business administration, psychology, engineering, and law.

Empowering Communities and Youth

Queen Rania's pioneering effort began with the establishment of the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) in 1995.

She initiated the Jordan River Children Program (JRCP) to focus on the well-being of children, transcending political and cultural divides. This initiative paved the way for JRF's 1998 Child Safety Program, which aimed to confront immediate threats of child abuse while increasing public consciousness. After child abuse-related deaths occurred in Amman in 2009, Rania organized an urgent session with government officials and NGO representatives to address institutional shortcomings.

In 2009, coinciding with her husband's decade-long reign anniversary, she introduced the community recognition award (Ahel Al Himmeh) to honor grassroots contributors. Additionally, she launched the Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans in 2003.

Serving as regional ambassador for INJAZ Al-Arab, Rania broadened its reach throughout the Arab region, engaging young people through educational programs and open discussions. She led conversations celebrating entrepreneurial achievements during INJAZ’s tenth anniversary. At the 2008 World Economic Forum held in Davos, she unveiled the "Empowering One Million Arab Youth by 2018" initiative, developed by INJAZ Arabia.

Health Initiatives

In 2005, Rania founded the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS) with a mission to inform parents and children about nutrition, hygiene, physical activity benefits, and the dangers of smoking.

Jordan’s first dedicated pediatric medical center, Queen Rania Children's Hospital, was inaugurated in 2011 to provide advanced treatment for complex cases including organ transplants and endoscopic surgeries.

Advancing Global Education

Acknowledged for her commitment to young people, Rania became part of UNICEF's Global Leadership Initiative in 2000. She joined the International Youth Foundation’s board in 2002 and was appointed UNICEF's inaugural Eminent Advocate for Children in 2007. In 2009, she assumed the role of Honorary Global Chair for the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI).

A passionate advocate for the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), Rania engaged with youth and women leaders during a 2009 visit to South Africa. She contributed a narrative to GCE’s "Big Read" project and helped inaugurate it alongside U.S. education champions during her April 2009 trip to America, where she was also welcomed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

On 20 August 2009, together with Gary Lineker and international football stars at Wembley Stadium in London, Rania co-founded and launched the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign. The official global launch on 6 October 2009 featured key figures such as UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, and South African President Jacob Zuma, underscoring her influential role in promoting worldwide education efforts.

Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding

Rania has consistently emphasized the significance of cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue as a means to cultivate global understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Utilizing her platform, she challenges Western stereotypes about the Arab world.

She has championed tolerance and conversation at esteemed venues including the Jeddah Economic Forum, Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, and the Skoll Foundation in the United Kingdom. Among her notable appearances is a prominent television interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, where she addressed common misunderstandings regarding Islam and Muslim women.

In September 2006, Rania became a member of the board of directors for the United Nations Foundation, which fosters public-private collaborations aimed at resolving global issues while bolstering support for the UN through advocacy and outreach initiatives.

Microfinance

Rania became a member of the board of directors at the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA) in September 2003. Acting as a representative for the United Nations' International Year of Microcredit in 2005, she collaborated with FINCA to support the growth of micro-enterprises in Jordan, leading to the formal establishment of FINCA Jordan in February 2008.

Environment

In October 2020, Rania was named to the Earthshot Prize Council, an environmental program spearheaded by Prince William aimed at discovering groundbreaking solutions to pressing global ecological issues.

YouTube

Rania initiated her YouTube channel on 30 March 2008 with the goal of fostering intercultural understanding and dispelling misconceptions about Muslims and the Arab world. She encouraged audiences to submit inquiries regarding Islam and Arab culture, responding through videos that tackled subjects such as honour killings, terrorism, and women's rights. The initiative featured contributions from notable personalities including Dean Obeidallah, Maz Jobrani, and YouTube influencer Mia Rose.

In addition, Rania took part in YouTube's In My Name campaign in 2008, appearing alongside The Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am in the video "End Poverty – Be the Generation," which called on global leaders to honor their commitments made at the United Nations Millennium Summit.

Twitter

Rania launched her presence on Twitter with the handle @QueenRania on 8 May 2009 to coincide with Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Jordan. During the World Economic Forum held at the Dead Sea in June 2009, she conducted her inaugural Twitter interview by answering five questions from the public through her account.

Publications

  • To commemorate King Hussein on the first anniversary of his passing, Rania wrote The King's Gift, a children's book whose proceeds support disadvantaged children in Jordan.
  • Her second publication, Eternal Beauty, released for Mother's Day 2008, tells the story of a young girl's quest to find the world's most beautiful thing and was part of the Greater Amman Municipality's "Mama's Story" competition.
  • For the 2009 Big Read event, she authored Maha of the Mountains, which portrays a young girl's determination to pursue education despite obstacles.
  • The Sandwich Swap, co-written with Kelly DiPucchio and inspired by Rania's own childhood experiences, narrates how two friends bridge cultural divides through their favorite sandwiches. This book reached number one on The New York Times Best Seller list for children's literature in May 2010.

Affiliations

Queen Rania has actively advocated for Petra as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, personally greeting representatives from New7Wonders during its official global tour.

International roles and positions

  • UNICEF invited Rania to join its Global Leadership Initiative in November 2000.
  • At the 2007 World Economic Forum in Davos, she was appointed UNICEF’s inaugural Eminent Advocate for Children.
  • In August 2009, Rania co-founded and assumed the role of global co-chair for 1GOAL.
  • The United Nations designated her Honorary Chairperson of the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI) in July 2009.
  • She served as honorary chairperson for Global Action Week organized by the Global Campaign for Education in April 2009.
  • In early 2002, Rania joined the board of directors at the International Youth Foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Since September 2002, she has been a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Foundation Board and leads the Nominations and Selection Committee for its Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL).
  • Rania became a board member of the United Nations Foundation in September 2006.
  • She participated as a member of the Every Child Council for the GAVI Alliance.
  • Rania held an Honorary Membership on the International Advisory Council for the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW).
  • She serves as co-chair of the Arab Open University.
  • Rania acted as Honorary Chairperson for Jordan's branch of Operation Smile.
  • As of 2024, she holds a position on the board of trustees at the World Economic Forum.

National

International

Awards and Distinctions

  • 2001: Life Achievement Award from International Osteoporosis Foundation, Italy
  • 2002: Ambrogino D'Oro Award, Municipality of Milan, Italy
  • 2002: Gold Medal awarded by President of Italian Republic via Pio Manzù International Research Centre, Italy
  • 2003: German Media Award, Germany
  • 2005: Golden Plate Award from Academy of Achievement, USA
  • 2005: Sesame Workshop Award, USA
  • 2007: Mediterranean Prize for Social Solidarity, Mediterranean Foundation, Italy
  • 2007: Global Humanitarian Action Award by UNSA-USA and UN Business Council, USA
  • 2007: Bambi Award for Attention Based Charity presented by Hubert Burda Media, Germany
  • 2007: John Wallach Humanitarian and PeaceMaker Awards from Seeds of Peace, USA
  • 2008: World Savers Award from Conde Nast Traveler, USA
  • 2008: David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award granted by Synergos University, USA
  • 2008: Inaugural recipient of the YouTube Visionary Award
  • 2009: Marisa Bellisario International Award, Fondazione Bellisario, Italy
  • 2009: North-South Prize, Portugal
  • 2009: FIFA Presidential Award, Switzerland
  • 2010: Arab Knight of Giving Award at Arab Giving Forum, UAE
  • 2010: Leadership Award from White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, USA
  • 2010: James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award from Tech Awards, USA
  • 2010: Glamour's Woman of the Year, USA
  • 2011: Listed among world's top 100 most powerful women by Forbes
  • 2013: Atlantic Council's Global Citizen Awards, USA
  • 2015: Walther Rathenau Award, Germany
  • 2015: World Childhood Award from Queen Silvia's World Childhood Foundation, USA
  • 2016: Andrea Bocelli Humanitarian Award, Italy
  • 2016: Humanitarian Award from Foreign Press Association, UK
  • 2016: The Golden Heart Award, Germany
  • 2016: Medal of Honor for Women presented by Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid at Global Women Forum, Dubai
  • 2017: Global Trailblazer Award, USA
  • 2017: Fellowship Award from Fashion for Relief recognizing humanitarian efforts for children in conflict zones, France
  • 2018: Influential Personality accolade at Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS), Dubai
  • 2020: PWI Most Beautiful Woman In The World Award
  • 2022: Zayed Award for Human Fraternity
  • 2022: Path to Peace Award

Honorary Doctorates

  • In 2001, awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the University of Exeter, United Kingdom
  • Conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Educational Sciences by the University of Jordan in 2008
  • Received an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations from Malaysia’s University of Malaya in 2008
  • Granted an Honorary Doctorate for "Science Development and International Cooperation" by Italy’s University of Sapienza in 2015

External links

Related profiles

MMd. Hafizur RahmanHHamza Ali AbbasiSSaleemah Abdul-GhafurMMohammed bin Ali Aba Al Khail
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