Princess Firyal of Jordan
Encyclopedia
H.R.H. Princess Firyal (born 1945) is a Jordan
ian princess. Married to Prince Muhammad bin Talal
from 1964 to 1978, she is the mother of Prince Talal
Prince Ghazi
and Princess Mia bin Muhammad. Princess Firyal is known as a socialite and philanthropist. She has been a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
since 1992, for whom she works on programs for protection of world heritage, medical research and children’s education. She is also a member of the International Best Dressed List
since 1985.
Princess Firyal attended Palestine's Berzeit College. She studied for two years at the American College for Women in Beirut prior to her marriage; she resumed her studies and earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University School of General Studies
in 1999. Princess Firyal will pursue her Ph.D. in Comparative Religion at Columbia University.
in 1992. Three years later, in 1995, she was appointed Special Advisor to the Director General of UNESCO. She works primarily on programs for protection of world heritage, medical research and children’s education.
In Jordan, Princess Firyal became active in relief work in refugee camps after the wars in the regions. She worked with nomadic Bedouin tribes and farmers to increase literacy, to establish family planning programs, and to encourage local crafts.
Princess Firyal launched the International Hope Foundation as part of UNESCO
in 1994. She frequently visits homeless and street children shelters in New York and cities around the world.
The princess's philanthropic positions and credentials include:
, the younger brother of the late H.M. King Hussein, in 1964; they divorced in 1978. The couple has two sons Prince Talal
Prince Ghazi
and one daughter Princess Mia of Jordan.
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
ian princess. Married to Prince Muhammad bin Talal
Prince Muhammad bin Talal
Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan (born Amman, Jordan on 2 October 1940 is the son of the late King Talal I of Jordan and is the younger brother of the late King Hussein I of Jordan.-Education:...
from 1964 to 1978, she is the mother of Prince Talal
Prince Talal bin Muhammad
HRH Prince Talal bin Muhammad is a Jordanian royal, the eldest son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal, the younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan, and the grandson of King Talal of Jordan. HRH Prince Talal is the 41st generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He has one brother, Prince...
Prince Ghazi
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan is a Jordanian prince, professor of philosophy, and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He is the son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan and his first wife, Princess Firyal...
and Princess Mia bin Muhammad. Princess Firyal is known as a socialite and philanthropist. She has been a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrity advocates of UNESCO who use their talent or fame to spread the UNESCO ideals, especially attracting media attention...
since 1992, for whom she works on programs for protection of world heritage, medical research and children’s education. She is also a member of the International Best Dressed List
International Best Dressed List
The International Best Dressed List was founded by fashionista Eleanor Lambert in 1940 as an attempt to boost the reputation of American fashion at the time.People who have been on the list include from A to Z:-The International Hall of Fame: Women:...
since 1985.
Early life and education
Leirjal Firyal Irshaid was born in 1945 in Jerusalem, the daughter of the late Farid Irshaid, a political leader who served as a Minister in the Government and in the Senate in Jordan. Her mother Farida is Chair of the Red Crescent Society in the Palestinian West Bank of Jordan.Princess Firyal attended Palestine's Berzeit College. She studied for two years at the American College for Women in Beirut prior to her marriage; she resumed her studies and earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University School of General Studies
Columbia University School of General Studies
The School of General Studies, commonly known as General Studies or simply GS, is one of the three official undergraduate colleges at Columbia University. It is a highly selective Ivy League undergraduate liberal arts college designed for non-traditional students and confers Bachelor of Art and...
in 1999. Princess Firyal will pursue her Ph.D. in Comparative Religion at Columbia University.
Career
The Princess was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill AmbassadorUNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrity advocates of UNESCO who use their talent or fame to spread the UNESCO ideals, especially attracting media attention...
in 1992. Three years later, in 1995, she was appointed Special Advisor to the Director General of UNESCO. She works primarily on programs for protection of world heritage, medical research and children’s education.
In Jordan, Princess Firyal became active in relief work in refugee camps after the wars in the regions. She worked with nomadic Bedouin tribes and farmers to increase literacy, to establish family planning programs, and to encourage local crafts.
Princess Firyal launched the International Hope Foundation as part of UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
in 1994. She frequently visits homeless and street children shelters in New York and cities around the world.
The princess's philanthropic positions and credentials include:
- Board of Directors of the United Nations Association in March, 2003
- Board of Trustees of the International Rescue Committee for Refugees based in New York<
- Dean's Councils of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government
- International Council at Columbia University
- Board of Trustees of the New York Public Library
- Trustee of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris
- International Council of the Tate in London
- Minister Plenipotentiary by the government of Jordan in May 2007 at the Jordanian Embassy as U.S. Ambassador
Marriage and children
Princess Firyal married Prince Muhammad bin TalalPrince Muhammad bin Talal
Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan (born Amman, Jordan on 2 October 1940 is the son of the late King Talal I of Jordan and is the younger brother of the late King Hussein I of Jordan.-Education:...
, the younger brother of the late H.M. King Hussein, in 1964; they divorced in 1978. The couple has two sons Prince Talal
Prince Talal bin Muhammad
HRH Prince Talal bin Muhammad is a Jordanian royal, the eldest son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal, the younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan, and the grandson of King Talal of Jordan. HRH Prince Talal is the 41st generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He has one brother, Prince...
Prince Ghazi
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan is a Jordanian prince, professor of philosophy, and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He is the son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan and his first wife, Princess Firyal...
and one daughter Princess Mia of Jordan.