King Saud—may God have mercy on him—was distinguished by a unique combination of strength of character and simplicity. He was known for his humility, benevolence, compassion, and tenderness. His heart was pure and sincere; he harbored no malice or resentment toward anyone and was remarkably forgiving, even toward his fiercest opponents.
He cherished the limited time he could spend outside his official duties with his family, whom he loved deeply. It was his habit, after completing his work each evening, to meet with the women of the family and others from outside it to listen to their concerns. Afterwards, he would dine with his sons and daughters and spend the evening with them until his bedtime.
King Saud loved nature in all its forms. He was fond of the desert and enjoyed sitting in his garden, personally inspecting and caring for it. He lived in a small, single‑story villa to which he moved in 1960 and remained there until 1964 (1384 AH). The villa overlooked the garden he tended with great interest, having left the large palace he had built in 1956.
His lifestyle was marked by discipline. He would rise early in the morning to perform the dawn prayer in the mosque adjacent to his residence, then have a light breakfast before preparing to go to work. King Saud was known for his distinctive elegance and his love of cleanliness in everything around him—whether clothing or food.
He also had a deep appreciation for education and knowledge. He encouraged girls’ education and took personal interest in the academic progress of his daughters, frequently inquiring about their studies. He loved poetry, both composing and appreciating it.
During religious holidays, he welcomed all members of the family and delighted in bringing joy to children by giving them festive gifts and monetary ‘eidiyyah. He was committed to this tradition as a way of spreading happiness among everyone. Out of his love for his children, he made it a point to attend their end‑of‑year school ceremonies every year as a gesture of encouragement.
King Saud also inaugurated the first zoo in Riyadh, which still exists today. He brought elephants from India during his visit there in 1956, and the zoo came to include a large number of animals.
He had refined taste in art and antiquities. His official visits abroad always included tours of historical sites and museums. In 1954 (1374 AH), he visited the Islamic Museum and the Agricultural Museum, and he visited the Great Mosque of Córdoba—becoming the first Muslim king to pray there in more than 700 years. He also visited the Alhambra Palace and Seville in 1957 (1377 AH). In the United States, he visited the Islamic Center in Washington, which the Kingdom had helped build, and performed prayer there.
Perhaps the most defining aspect of King Saud’s character was his profound love for his country and his unwavering desire to see it progress and prosper. When he ascended the throne in 1953 at the age of fifty‑one, he had already been contributing to the development of his nation since the age of thirteen.
Source: Fahda bint Saud