3rd Kuwait Emir. Known as "Sheik Jaber" he was the third Emir to rule Kuwait after it gained independence from Great Britain, serving from from 1977 until his death. He guided his tiny, oil-rich country to stability during a 28-year rule that included an alliance with the United States and the creation of a fund to save part of the country's huge oil revenues for the future, both of which are considered to have ensured Kuwait's independence. His public career began when he became Chief of Public Security in the al-Ahmadi oilfields in 1949. In the late 1950s he dealt with the oil companies in various capacities, and in 1959 became head of the Department of Finance (Ministry of Finance in 1962 after Kuwaiti independence); from 1963 to 1965 he also was a deputy Prime Minister. He was appointed Prime Minister in December 1965, after his cousin, Sheikh Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, became Emir and then became crown prince in May 1966. Upon his cousin's death he succeeded him as Emir. In 1979, following the Islamic revolution in Iran, and demonstrations among the Shiias of Kuwait, Jaber imposed restrictions on the press in Kuwait. Considered a decisive leader, he allowed National Assembly reform in 1981 and dissolved it in 1986 when disagreements arose over its right to question the authority of ministers. In 1985 he survived an assassination attempt. During the 1990 invasion by Iraq, he fled to Saudi Arabia, establishing a government in exile, returning in March 1991 after Iraq's withdrawal. In exile he gained the support of Kuwait's opposition leaders in return for his agreement to restore the National Assembly in 1992; in 1999 he granted women the right to vote. Suffering a stroke in 2000, he died in Kuwait City in 2006.