Moroccan Princess Lalla Salma Turns 47, Maintains Low Profile After Royal Divorce

Born on May 10, 1978, in Fez, Lalla Salma Bennani grew up in Rabat, in the working-class neighborhood of Akkari, raised by her maternal grandmother alongside her older sister, Meriem.

A brilliant student, she attended the National School of Computer Science and Systems Analysis (ENSIAS) before a brief stint at the royal group ONA. On March 21, 2002, she married King Mohammed VI, becoming the first royal spouse to receive an official title and appear in public.

The couple had two children: Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, born on May 8, 2003, and Princess Lalla Khadija, born on February 28, 2007.

Appreciated for her elegance and her commitment to the fight against cancer, Lalla Salma long held a special place in the hearts of Moroccans. However, for several years now, her public appearances have become rare. The princess’s prolonged absence regularly fuels speculation, especially as rumors of a divorce from the king have been circulating since 2018, without ever being officially confirmed by the Royal Palace.