Queen Noor

Queen Noor of Jordan (born Lisa Najeeb Halaby on August 23, 1951) is the fourth wife of the late King Hussein of Jordan and the mother of King Abdullah II of Jordan. She is known for her humanitarian work and is a vocal advocate for education, healthcare, and women's rights.

Early Life and Education: Lisa Najeeb Halaby was born in Washington, D.C., to Najeeb Elias Halaby, a Lebanese-American businessman and civil aviation administrator, and Doris Carlquist, a Swedish-American homemaker. Noor was educated at the National Cathedral School for Girls in Washington, D.C., and later attended Princeton University, where she studied architecture and urban planning.

Marriage to King Hussein: Noor met King Hussein of Jordan in 1978 during a meeting in Amman, Jordan. The couple married in 1978, and Noor became known as Queen Noor of Jordan. She was the fourth wife of King Hussein, after Dina bint Abdul-Hamid, Antoinette Gardiner, and Alia Baha ad-Din Toukan.

Humanitarian Work: Queen Noor is known for her extensive humanitarian work. She is the founder and president of the Noor Al Hussein Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education, healthcare, and women's rights in Jordan and the Middle East. Noor is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and a member of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.

Education and Healthcare Initiatives: Queen Noor's humanitarian work focuses on improving education and healthcare in Jordan and the Middle East. She established the Noor Al Hussein Foundation in 1985 to address these issues. The foundation supports educational programs, builds schools and healthcare clinics, and provides scholarships for students. Noor has also worked to improve the quality of healthcare in Jordan by establishing state-of-the-art medical facilities and promoting community health programs.

Women's Rights Advocacy: Queen Noor is a vocal advocate for women's rights and gender equality. She founded the Queen Noor Foundation for Development in 2011 to empower women and promote their inclusion in leadership and decision-making roles. The foundation supports projects that provide vocational training and scholarships for women, promote equal opportunities in employment, and combat gender-based violence.

Legacy and Recognition: Queen Noor's work in the fields of education, healthcare, and women's rights has earned her international recognition and respect. She is a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the United Nations Population Award, the Gold Medal of the World Health Organization, and the Olof Palme Prize. Noor continues to be actively involved in humanitarian work and advocates for peace and understanding in the Middle East.