Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born in Riffa, Bahrain on 28th January 1950. His parents were the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and his wife Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa. When Hamad was born his grandfather Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa I was still reigning so Hamad was 2nd in line after his father. In 1961 at the age of 11 he became the Crown Prince of Bahrain. Hamad has 8 younger siblings, 4 brothers and 4 sisters.
Hamad spent time at school in Bahrain before heading to England where he went to boarding school in Cambridge. On completion of school the Crown Prince did military training with the British Army. He then went on to do more military training in Kansas, USA.
During his time as Crown Prince Hamad sat on the Manama Municipal Council. He also went into the Bahrain National Guard and became the commander. In 1987 The Prince founded the Bahrain Air Force.
In 1999 Hamad's father died and he became Emir/King of Bahrain. Unlike kings of many other monarchies King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has a lot of power, for example he appoints the prime minister as well as other government ministers as well as commanding the army. During his reign King Hamad has had to deal with uprising and political turmoil in his country.
King Hamad has four wives and a total of 12 children by them:
On 9th October 1968 he married Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. They have four children together;
1). Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (21/10/1969)
2). Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (30/6/1975)
3). Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa (4/6/1977)
4). Sheikha Najila bint Hamad Al Khalifa (20/5/1981)
The King and his first wife share 10 grandchildren.
King Hamad and his second wife, Sheia bint Hassan Al Khrayyesh Al Ajmi have two sons and and five grandchildren:
1). Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (8/5/1987)
2). Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (23/9/1989)
Hamad and his third wife have three children together, though sadly the eldest passed away in a car accident in 2006.
1). Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa (12/2/1991)
2). Sheikha Noura bint Hamad Al Khalifa (6/11/1993)
3). Sheikha Munira bint Hamad Al Khalifa (15/7/1995)
The King and his fourth wife have 3 children:
1). Sheikh Sultan bin Hamad Al Khalifa
2). Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad Al Khalifa
3). Sheikha Rima bint Hamad Al Khalifa
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