The Amir of the State of Kuwait dies on January 15 The Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah passed away at age 79 on Sunday January 15, 2006. The Amir was the 13th ruler of a 245-year-old dynasty. The government announced that the Amir's successor will be Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, formerly the crown prince. The Amir, Sheikh Jaber had led the nation since 1977, and faced troubled times in 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The Amir also supported giving women full political rights. The official mourning period for the demise of the Amir will be 40 days.