The last ruler of the Khedive dynasty, he modernized Egypt's infrastructure, army, and education system, and played a key role in the country's struggle for independence.
Abbas II was born on July 14, 1874, in Alexandria, Egypt, to Khedive Tewfik Pasha and was the great-great-grandson of Muhammad Ali, the founder of modern Egypt. His early life was marked by a privileged upbringing, with a British governess teaching him English and European, Arab, and Ottoman masters educating him alongside his brother Mohammed Ali Tewfik.
Abbas II succeeded his father as Khedive of Egypt and Sudan on January 8, 1892, at the age of 17. His youth and inexperience led to initial hesitation and resistance from the British, who had significant influence over Egyptian affairs.
Despite the British occupation, Abbas II sought to assert Egypt's independence and modernize its institutions. He:
In 1914, following the Ottoman Empire's entry into World War I on the side of the Central Powers, the British removed Abbas II from power, replacing him with his more pro-British uncle, Hussein Kamel. This marked the end of Egypt's four-century period as a province of the Ottoman Empire.
Abbas II's reign represents a significant turning point in Egyptian history, marking the transition from Ottoman to British dominance. His nationalist ambitions and modernization efforts laid the groundwork for Egypt's future development, even if they were ultimately curtailed by British occupation.
Today, Abbas II is remembered as a symbol of Egyptian national identity and a precursor to the country's eventual independence in 1922.
Born in 1830
The 19th-century ruler who modernized Egypt by introducing railways, telegraphs, and a new legal system, transforming the country into a more European-style state.
93 Years Old
A renowned actor and screenwriter, starring in iconic films like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Doctor Zhivago", earning him international acclaim and numerous awards.
Born in 1918
Led Egypt through a period of rapid modernization and nationalism, becoming a symbol of Arab unity and resistance to Western influence. He nationalized the Suez Canal and implemented socialist reforms.
97 Years Old
The authoritarian leader who ruled Egypt for nearly three decades, suppressing opposition and maintaining a tight grip on power, while also maintaining a delicate balance of power in the Middle East. He's infamous for his regime's human rights abuses and corruption.
74 Years Old
Egypt's first democratically elected president, who served from 2012 to 2013 and was a key figure in the Arab Spring uprising, known for his Islamist ideology and brief, tumultuous tenure.
