H.R.H. Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (1931–2018) was a distinguished Saudi statesman, philanthropist, and champion of human development whose lifelong mission was to advance the dignity and welfare of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Born in Taif, Saudi Arabia, Prince Talal grew up deeply committed to social justice, believing that investing in people—particularly women and children—was the cornerstone of sustainable development. His visionary leadership led to the founding of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) in 1980, through which he launched transformative initiatives in education, health, microfinance, and women’s empowerment across the Arab world and beyond. Throughout his life, Prince Talal initiated groundbreaking projects, including the Arab Open University, the Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD), the Arab Women Center for Training and Research (CAWTAR), and the Banks for the Poor, pioneering microfinance in the region. His commitment to institutional development fostered cooperation among governments, NGOs, the private sector, and academia to achieve human-centered progress. In public service, Prince Talal served as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance, Minister of Communications, and Ambassador to France, later becoming a UNESCO Special Envoy for Freshwater and a Special Envoy for UNICEF. His leadership was recognized with numerous international honors, including the UN Medal of Peace, the Golden Heart Medal of the Philippines, and the Sash of King Abdul Aziz. Yet, Prince Talal declined honorary degrees and trophies, dedicating all his efforts “to the Almighty God and for the benefit of humanity.” His legacy lives on through the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development, inspiring generations to believe that real change begins with empowering people to transform their own lives. His life was a testament to the belief that true greatness lies not in titles or accolades, but in the enduring impact left on people’s lives and the future of nations.