Job, business, education…Mother of 19 children earn doctorate degree, her name is…, she is from…

Hamda Al Ruwaili recently shared her inspiring journey of balancing her studies, career, and the responsibilities of raising her children simultaneously.

Learning knows no age, and nothing exemplifies this better than the motivational story of Hamda Al Ruwaili, a mother of 19 (10 sons and 9 daughters) who achieved the incredible milestone of earning a doctoral degree in Saudi Arabia. Hamda Al Ruwaili recently shared her inspiring journey of balancing her studies, career, and the responsibilities of raising her children simultaneously.

According to a Gulf News report, Hamda Al Ruwaili revealed to Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya that she manages an administrative role in the mental health sector while also running an e-commerce business.

Job, business, education…Mother of 19 children earn a doctorate degree, her name is…, she is from…

In her 40s, Hamda Al Ruwaili shared her formula for success, explaining how she divides her time effectively—dedicating her days to work and childcare, and her nights to studying and managing her e-commerce business. “I don’t like chaos and haphazardness. So, I always plan my day carefully,” Hamda Al Ruwaili was quoted as saying by Gulf News.

She stated, “Despite my great responsibilities as a mother of many children, I didn’t give up on my academic dream. Thank Allah, this success was not easy, but it is the fruit of planning and continuous family support.”

According to the news report, she completed her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees before the age of 43. She is currently preparing to defend her doctoral thesis. Raising a large family was undoubtedly a significant challenge for Hamda, but she found inspiration in her teachers. She was quoted as saying by Gulf News, “My role model in raising so many children is the teacher who runs a class full of students, and the army officer who supervises a large number of soldiers.” Furthermore, she added, “For me, raising one child is like raising 10. I respond to their needs, help them achieve their goals, and encourage them to pursue their hobbies.”

Speaking of her kids, Hamda proudly shared that her children excel in their studies, with none scoring less than 94% and some achieving a perfect 100%. She also highlighted her daughter, a high school student, who is exceptionally talented and receives support from the King Abdulaziz Centre for the Gifted in Riyadh.