Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Royalty

Lalla Salma

Lalla Salma, born Salma Bennani on 10 May 1978 in Fes, Morocco, is a Moroccan engineer and the former wife of King Mohammed VI.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Lalla Salma is the former princess consort of Morocco, known for being the first publicly acknowledged wife of a Moroccan monarch. She is a trained engineer and has been associated with cancer-prevention charity work.

Who is Lalla Salma?

Born Salma Bennani on 10 May 1978 in Fes, Morocco, she worked as an engineer before marrying King Mohammed VI in 2002. Her non-royal background and public role broke with tradition, as previous Moroccan royal wives were kept out of the spotlight.

Why she matters

Lalla Salma was the first wife of a Moroccan monarch to be given an official title and to appear publicly at official events. She used her position to promote health initiatives, notably the Lalla Salma Foundation for Cancer Prevention, and was a visible figure at diplomatic and ceremonial occasions.

What happened after the divorce?

Public reporting says she and King Mohammed VI divorced in 2018. Since then, she has largely withdrawn from public life and has been seen only rarely in Morocco. Her exact current residence is not publicly confirmed.

In short

  • Born Salma Bennani in Fes, 1978, and worked as an engineer.
  • Married King Mohammed VI in 2002 as the first publicly acknowledged royal consort.
  • Divorced in 2018; now lives privately in Morocco.
  • Mother of Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and Princess Lalla Khadija.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may know her from international royal coverage and her appearances at major diplomatic and ceremonial events involving other world royals.

Quick questions

Who is Lalla Salma?
She is the former wife of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, born in 1978, and served as princess consort during their marriage.
Is she still married to the king?
No, public reports indicate the couple divorced in 2018.
What is she known for?
She is known for being the first publicly acknowledged wife of a Moroccan monarch, her visible royal role, and her cancer-prevention charity work.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Lalla_Salma_of_Morocco
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, marriage to Mohammed VI, children, and reported 2018 divorce.
  2. Wise Muslim Women — https://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/muslim-woman/hrh-princess-lalla-salma-2/
    Supports: Her public role, cancer-prevention advocacy, and charitable work.
  3. South China Morning Post — https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3170687/where-moroccos-princess-lalla-salma-she-went-prince
    Supports: Her disappearance from public life and limited sightings since.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalla_Salma
    Supports: Alternative reporting on her as former princess consort and mother of the royal children.