Bahraini ruler. 11th Shaikh of Bahrain (1961-1971), then Emir of Bahrain (1971-1999). Born 1933, died 1999. Six children by two marriages.
Born into the ruling family of Bahrain, Isa ibn Salman al-Khalifa was created the crown prince of Bahrain in 1958, and later became the 11th Shaikh of Bahrain. Following Bahraini independence in 1971, al-Khalifa became Emir. From 1973 to 1975, he cooperated with the elected National Assembly of Bahrain, but following criticism of his powers as Emir, he dismissed the Assembly in 1975. From 1994 on, his policies were a source of growing dissatisfaction among his subjects. Demonstrators, however, found themselves brutally suppressed.
Emir Isa died in March 1999 and is buried in the Riffa Cemetary, Manama, Bahrain. He was succeeded by his son, Emir Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifa.