There is no doubt that Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, the first Saudi woman to serve as an ambassador, is a huge inspiration for all women. With an extraordinary body of pioneering work in both business and politics, she is currently the Saudi Ambassador to the US.
In her first diplomatic role, Princess Reema steps into her father’s big shoes. Her father, Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud, was the longest-serving ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the US. A veteran diplomat and a former dean of Washington’s diplomatic corps, Prince Bandar was ambassador to the US for 22 years, retiring in 2005.
Princess Reema’s path to success has several lessons for all women. Below are just seven of those lessons that we could learn from her inspiring journey:
- Her perseverance to create a path for her ambitions.
- Her strong advocacy for women’s rights.
- Her global leadership skills.
- Her deep understanding of different cultures that makes her the perfect choice for the role of the Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington.
- Her commitment to charitable and health causes.
- Her support to Saudi women, which is witnessed in the growing Saudi female workforce across her companies.
- Her work as a member of a number of local and international advisory councils.
Who is she?
- Born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1975.
- Lived in the US when Prince Bandar was ambassador.
- Graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor of arts degree in museum studies.
- Engaged in political causes and social activism early on in life.
- Founded a number of investment companies.
- Launched a brand of luxury handbags made from crocodile and snake leather.
- Co-founded the first women’s day gym and spa in Riyadh.
- Was featured on Forbes’ “200 Most Powerful Arab Women” and “Most Powerful Arab Women in Saudi Arabia” lists for 2014.
- Held several significant positions in the government of Saudi Arabia.
