Turki bin Nasser Al Saud
Turki bin Nasser Al Saud | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 14, 1948 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Died | January 30, 2021 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Military officer, state minister |
| Known for | Directed presidency of meteorology and environment; state minister responsible for environmental matters |
Turki bin Nasser Al Saud (; 14 April 1948 – 30 January 2021) was a Saudi Arabian military officer who directed the presidency of meteorology and environment and held the position of state minister responsible for environmental matters. As a member of the House of Saud, he was a grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia.
Early life and education
Born in Riyadh on 14 April 1948, Turki bin Nasser was the seventh son of Nasser bin Abdulaziz, who was excluded from succession due to what was described as "dissolute" conduct. His mother, Muhdi bint Ahmed Al Sudairi, was related to the powerful Sudairi brothers as their aunt.
He obtained both bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the US War College. Furthermore, he completed military training programs in both the United States and the United Kingdom and participated in six aviation courses within Saudi Arabia.
Career
Turki bin Nasser initiated his military service in 1966 as a flying officer with the rank of lieutenant at King Abdulaziz Air Base located in the Eastern Province. He rose to become acting commander at the Transitional Training Unit in 1975 and subsequently led three units between 1976 and 1984: Thirteen Squadron, 3rd Flying Wing, and King Abdulaziz Air Base. Between 1989 and 1994, he served as officer for the Al Yamamah project. During the 1990-91 Gulf War, he commanded Dhahran Air Base. In 1994, he managed air staff operations for the peace shield and peace hawk initiatives. He was appointed deputy commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force in 1996 and later promoted to commander with the rank of general, eventually holding the role of deputy commander-in-chief before his retirement.
After leaving active military duty, King Fahd assigned him to lead the presidency of meteorology and environment, where he was responsible for safeguarding the environment and advancing natural resource development across Saudi Arabia. In 2000, he became a special advisor to Prince Sultan and was appointed state minister for environmental affairs in 2001.
Prince Turki also chaired the Saudi Environmental Society and served as chairman of the board for the Saudi Charity Association for Autism based in Jeddah. In April 2012, this association inaugurated the Prince Nasser bin Abdulaziz Center for Autism in Riyadh.
On 18 August 2013, King Abdullah designated Abdulaziz Al Jaser as head of the presidency of meteorology and environment, succeeding Prince Turki bin Nasser.
Wealth
Before his passing, Prince Turki’s fortune was estimated at approximately $1 billion. His assets included nearly 200 vintage automobiles, a private Boeing business jet valued at £20 million, a sizable yacht named Sarah (which was sold shortly before his death), as well as multiple properties including a mansion in Beverly Hills that he intended to put on the market in June 2020. His real estate holdings spanned several cities such as Jeddah, Barcelona, Riyadh, Dhahran, and London, with his London residence situated in Sussex Square close to Hyde Park.
Additionally, he owned the Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos I hotel in Barcelona, which he listed for sale in late October 2020. Turki had maintained ownership of this establishment since its inauguration in 1992.
Membership
Turki bin Nasser held the position of Godfather at the Al Qadsieh Saudi club and was honored as an honorary member of the Saudi football club Al Nasr from 2008 until his departure in 2016. He also fulfilled the role of CEO for the Council of Arab Ministers in charge of environmental matters and was a member of the board at the Saudi Wildlife Commission.
Controversy
Turki bin Nasser was identified as the primary beneficiary of BAE’s £60 million slush fund, reportedly receiving upwards of £1 billion through the offshore entity Poseidon, which is connected to Lebanese politician Mohammad Safadi. His name emerged amid accusations involving covert commissions tied to the £50 billion al Yamamah arms deals initiated under Margaret Thatcher’s government during the 1980s. In 2005, he became a focal point in the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office inquiry.
Gardiner, proprietor of a travel agency catering to BAE and its Saudi clientele, revealed that a significant portion of these funds was allocated to Turki bin Nasser, who was then leading the Saudi Air Force and considered a crucial BAE client. Additional monies were reportedly spent on personal items, including financing the honeymoon of Bandar bin Sultan’s daughter, Reema bint Bandar, formerly wed to Prince Turki’s son Faisal bin Turki. Furthermore, Prince Turki’s daughter is said to have received a wedding video from BAE valued at nearly £200,000. Other claims include a £170,000 Rolls-Royce presented to his wife, Noura bint Sultan, transported via a BAE-chartered cargo aircraft, along with a family vacation costing approximately £2 million over three months arranged for him.
Turki bin Nasser also appeared in the Panama Papers due to his association with HoneyBee Assets Limited.
Arrest
On 4 November 2017, Turki bin Nasser Al Saud was detained amid a Saudi anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by a royal committee. He was subsequently released in January 2018.
Personal life
He was married to Noura bint Sultan, daughter of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, with whom he had two sons and five daughters. Additionally, he fathered five other sons. His eldest son is Faisal bin Turki. His daughter Areej bint Turki established Areej Art Cafe in Riyadh in 2012, while another daughter, Lama bint Turki, is an amateur equestrian who has represented Saudi Arabia.
Death
Turki bin Nasser passed away on 30 January 2021, with funeral services conducted in Riyadh the following day.
Honors and awards
Throughout his life, he was bestowed with multiple prestigious national and international accolades such as the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (First class), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Pakistani Military Excellence Star Decoration, Order of Merit (American Commander Rank), National Order of Merit (France, Commander rank), and the French Medal of Honor (Cavalryman rank).