Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa

Lore & Background

Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa was born in Jasra to Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Mouza bint Hamad Al Khalifa.

Reader's Guide

Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa's 38-year reign saw Bahrain's economic transformation into a modern nation and a key Persian Gulf financial center. However, his dissolution of Parliament and assumption of absolute power drew criticism. He maintained an arrangement with his brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, who controlled the government and economy as Prime Minister while Isa held diplomatic and ceremonial roles. defense secretary William Cohen, prompted expressions of sadness from U.S. President Bill Clinton and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who called him 'a force for stability.' He was succeeded by his eldest son, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Did You Know?

• His last public function was the funeral of King Hussein of Jordan, less than a month before his own death.