King Mohammed VI Biography, Age, Family, Policies, Net Worth

King Mohammed VI was born into the world as heir to the Alaouite dynasty, a lineage that can be traced back to the Prophet Muhammad and is deeply rooted in Moroccan spirituality and tradition.

King Mohammed VI Biography

King Mohammed VI, whose full name is Sidi Mohammed bin Hassan al-Alawi, was born in Rabat on August 21, 1963. He is the eldest son of King Hassan II and Lalla Latifa. As per tradition, he was raised in the royal palace alongside his siblings. He has four other siblings: three sisters, one of them being an elder sibling, and one brother.

King Mohammed VI Educational Background

He was entered into the Quranic school when he was just 4 years old. After that, he entered the Royal Palace College, completing his baccalaureate in 1981. He later earned degrees in law and public law at Mohammed V University. In 1993, he earned a doctorate in law from the University of Nice, France. He wrote a thesis on the importance of Maghreb–European cooperation.

King Mohammed VI Ascension and Rule

On July 3, 1999, he succeeded his father as King of Morocco. As monarch, he holds the roles of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Commander of the Faithful. Delivering his first speech on the throne, he spoke of continuing his father’s legacy in addressing social problems. His ascension to the throne occurred just hours after his father’s passing.

When King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne, one of his earliest and most defining moves came in 2004 with the reform of Morocco’s Family Code, known as the Mudawana. This landmark decision gave women greater rights in marriage, divorce, and property ownership, a bold and progressive step in a traditionally conservative society.

During the 2011 Arab Spring, as protests swept across the region, he responded by introducing a new constitution. The reforms gave more power to parliament and the prime minister while still preserving the monarchy’s authority over critical areas like security and religion.

Under his leadership, Morocco has undergone a remarkable transformation. Ambitious infrastructure projects such as the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex, the massive Tanger Med port, and Africa’s first high-speed rail line have reshaped the country’s economic landscape. Over the past 25 years, Morocco’s GDP has nearly doubled, earning praise from global institutions like the African Development Bank.

As Commander of the Faithful, Mohammed VI holds both political and spiritual influence. He has strengthened Morocco’s position on the world stage by deepening ties across Africa, securing renewed membership in the African Union in 2017, and expanding partnerships with global powers including the United States, the European Union, and China.

In recent years, he has faced fresh challenges. A prolonged drought prompted him to make a rare and heartfelt appeal for Moroccans to skip the traditional Eid al-Adha sheep sacrifice, recognizing both the economic pressure on families and the shortage of livestock. At the same time, he has continued to invest in the nation’s future, approving a $5.7 billion plan to extend Morocco’s high-speed rail network—boosting connectivity between cities and promoting sustainable travel.

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King Mohammed VI Marriage and Children

He got married to Princess Lalla Salma in 2002; she is a former royal consort. King Mohammed VI, in an unprecedented move, broke tradition and publicly announced his marriage to her and gave her the title of Princess. She is an engineer by training and also the first publicly recognized royal consort in modern Moroccan history. They have two children together. The couple has two children: Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and Princess Lalla Khadija.

From about 2017 to 2018, she largely disappeared from official public life. There have been multiple reports since then saying the couple separated and that she no longer performs official duties; some outlets describe them as divorced, though the palace issued no detailed public statement. In recent years, she has made rare private or low-key public appearances, which keep her situation a subject of speculation in the press.

King Mohammed VI’s Siblings

King Mohammed VI has four other siblings; he is the second child of King Hassan II and Lalla Latifa. He has an elder sister, Princess Lalla Meryem, born on August 26, 1962. She is heavily involved in humanitarian and women’s rights causes. She is the president of the National Union of Moroccan Women and the president of the Moroccan Association for UNICEF. She advocates for the education of girls, the welfare of children, and the advancement of women in Morocco.

His third sister is Princess Lalla Asma; she was born on September 29, 1965. She is currently serving as president of the Lalla Asma Foundation for Deaf Children. She has championed initiatives for the education and inclusion of hearing-impaired children in Morocco, keeps a lower profile internationally, but is active in charity events and royal ceremonies within Morocco.

Princess Lalla Hasna is his third sister. She is often referred to as the Golden Princess. She is also president of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment. She promotes environmental awareness, sustainable development, and ecological conservation in Morocco.

The last sibling is Prince Moulay Rachid, born on June 20, 1970. He is the second in line to the Moroccan throne after Crown Prince Moulay Hassan (King Mohammed VI’s son). Known for his passion for sports, especially golf, and for representing Morocco at high-level diplomatic events. He is the president of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Shooting Sports. He also serves as a trusted royal envoy; he often represents the king abroad when Mohammed VI cannot attend.

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Criticisms

Over the years, King Mohammed VI has brought nothing but improvement to Morocco. Although loved by his people, at certain times in his reign, he has made decisions that did not go over well with the people. One such event is the Daniel Galván pardon. In 2013, he pardoned a Spanish child rapist, Daniel Galván, on a national holiday, triggering public outrage over justice and royal privilege.

Another case was the cancellation of the Eid al-Adha sheep sacrifices. Recently, in 2025, amid a severe seven-year drought, livestock numbers dropped drastically; he urged citizens to forego Eid al-Adha sheep sacrifices, citing economic hardship, but critics blamed decades of policy shortcomings for the severe situation.

He is also criticized for prolonged absences from Morocco and personal associations with controversial figures.

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King Mohammed VI’s Legacy

For more than twenty-five years, King Mohammed VI has led Morocco through a chapter defined by ambitious reforms, cultural openness, and sweeping infrastructure growth. His time on the throne has not been free of controversy though, critics point to persistent wealth inequality, allegations of corruption, and restrictions on free expression. Even so, his approach to leadership remains measured and strategic, with a clear focus on modernization. Under his guidance, Morocco has worked to maintain stability, strengthen its global presence, and carefully navigate the delicate line between honoring its traditions and embracing progress.

King Mohammed VI’s Net Worth

As of 2025, King Mohammed VI is ranked the fourth richest monarch in the world with a staggering net worth of $8.2 billion.

King Mohammed VI’s Social Media Handles

Even without official accounts, social media plays a big role in shaping his public image. The King doesn’t post himself, but social platforms amplify his presence through the unofficial channels and the reactions they generate.

• Twiter X: @TheMoroccanMonarchy
• Instagram: @king_mohamed6