Rania Al-Abdullah: The 49-year-old Queen who is empowering the world

Queen Rania Al-Abdullah is the queen consort of Jordan and has established herself as one of the most empowering royals around. On her 49th birthday, here's why this beautiful Queen is one of the revered leader

Updated On: 2019-08-31 08:40 AM IST

Rania Al Abdullah

Queen Rania Al Abdullah was born as Rania Al Yassin on August 31, 1970, to Faisal Sedki Al Yassin, a physician from Tulkarm and his wife, Ilham Yassin. She was raised with her two siblings named Dina and Magdi. Rania Al Abdullah received her early education from the New English School in Jabriya, Kuwait City

Born in Kuwait to a Palestinian family, Queen Rania Al Abdullah later moved to Jordan for work. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the American University of Cairo in 1991. She started with a banking career in Jordan. She worked for marketing in Citibank followed by a job in technology giant Apple

It was in Jordan that Queen Rania Al Abdullah met the then Prince, Abdullah. In January 1993, she went to a dinner party thrown by the sister of Prince Abdullah of Jordan, where she met the prince. Many reports suggest that it was love at first sight

Queen Rania Al Abdullah married Prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein on June 10, 1993, less than six months of their first encounter. They went on to have four children - Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem

In addition to being a wife and mother, Queen Rania Al Abdullah works hard to lift the lives of citizens of Jordan by supporting their endeavours and helping to create new opportunities for them

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, also known as Queen Rania of Jordan, has a huge passion for education. She believes that every Jordanian girl and boy, and all children, should have access not only to stimulating classrooms and modern curriculum but inspiring teachers and technology that can connect Jordan’s children to the world and the world to Jordan's children

Queen Rania Al Abdullah is also a global voice for access to quality education for children around the world. In 2009, she championed the 1 Goal campaign for education. She is Honorary Chair of the UN Girl's Education Initiatives and has advocated access to education in forums and gatherings around the world

Queen Rania Al Abdullah's work and her efforts to improve the learning opportunities for children have been recognised at the highest levels, nationally, regionally and internationally

Internationally, Queen Rania Al Abdullah is an advocate for tolerance and compassion. Her efforts to simultaneously challenge stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims, and promote greater understanding and acceptance between people of all faiths and cultures, have won her global recognition

Queen Rania Al Abdullah contributes to the work of the United Nations Foundation and the World Economic Forum. She was part of the UN-appointed High-Level Panel who advised on the shape and content of the Sustainable Development Goals which aim to improve the lives of millions of people before 2030

In 2011, Queen Rania Al Abdullah was ranked as one of the world's 100 most powerful women by Forbes magazine 

Queen Rania Al Abdullah has received awards like Walther Rathenau Award from the Walther Rathenau Institute in Germany for her efforts to greater peace and understanding; the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award from Tech Awards, USA, the Arab Knight of Giving Award from Arab Giving Forum, UAE as well as the YouTube Visionary Award to name a few

Queen Rania Al Abdullah authored several books primarily for children including the Sandwich Swap, which was inspired by her own childhood experiences

Queen Rania Al Abdullah is totally active on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to advocate her causes to the world

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