“Sleeping Prince” Passes Away After 21 Years in Coma: The Story of Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal

Have you ever imagined a prince who never woke up? For more than two decades, Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal was known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince” — a young royal trapped between dreams and reality. On July 19, 2025, his story came to a quiet close. He passed away at the age of 36, after spending 21 years in a coma.

Born into the House of Saud, Prince Alwaleed was more than just a royal name: he was a vibrant young man with charisma, big dreams, and a promising future. All of that changed in 2005, when a catastrophic car accident at just 16 years old left him in a coma from which he would never awaken.

Across Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, Prince Alwaleed became a symbol of suspended hope and unwavering love. The family, especially his father Prince Khaled and mother Princess Al-Azi, never gave up hope. Princess Al-Azi prayed daily, while his siblings — Prince Saud, Prince Muhammad, and his sisters — remained faithfully by his side through two decades of birthdays, Ramadan nights, and hundreds of quiet mornings that passed in silence.

Throughout his long sleep, Prince Alwaleed became more than just a patient; to many, he was a spiritual figure. His story resonated with countless families, inspiring patience, faith, and the enduring power of hope. At times, brief signs — like a widely-shared video showing his fingers twitching — ignited renewed optimism across the world, even as he never regained consciousness.

Prince Alwaleed was not only the grandson of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz and the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, founder of modern Saudi Arabia, he was a beloved son and brother who once cherished riding horses, fast cars, and dreamed of serving his nation in public life. Those dreams now rest in peace.

Marking his birthday in April, the Prince turned 36. Of those years, only sixteen were spent awake. The world will never know what he might have become, but his story touched millions and taught all who followed it the true meaning of love, patience, and hope.

As the world remembers the “Sleeping Prince”, many keep Prince Alwaleed and his family in their prayers, honoring a life that reminded us — love endures and hope never sleeps.