King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia dead at 90, half-brother succeeds him.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the powerful U.S. ally who joined Washington's fight against Al Qaeda and sought to modernize the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom has died at 90, according to Saudi state TV.


The King of Saudi Arabia was Born 1 Aug 1924 & died 23 Jan 2015, aged 90.

In 2013, Abdullah was ranked 8th most powerful person globally according to forbes.

He gave women the right to vote & compete in the Olympics.

He has 4 wives, 7 sons & 15 daughters.

He had a $18 billion fortune and is the 3rd wealthiest head of state in the world.

His successor is his 79-year-old half-brother, Prince Salman, who recently has taken on the ailing Abdullah's responsibilities