Khufu's origins are not entirely certain, but he is believed to have been the son of Pharaoh Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres I. He was the third ruler of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt, and his reign is estimated to have lasted from around 2589 to 2566 BC.
Khufu's father, Sneferu, is credited with building the first true pyramid at Meidum, which served as a prototype for the later pyramids at Giza. Khufu's own pyramid, known as the Great Pyramid, surpassed its predecessors in both size and complexity. It is believed that the construction of the Great Pyramid required the labor of thousands of workers over a period of several decades.
Khufu's rule was marked by a focus on monumental building projects, including the construction of temples and other structures at Giza. He also expanded Egypt's trade and diplomatic relations, and is known to have sent expeditions to distant lands such as Byblos in modern-day Lebanon.
Despite his significant achievements, Khufu's reign was also marked by periods of social and economic unrest. He was succeeded by his son, Djedefre, who continued the building projects at Giza but faced challenges in maintaining the stability of the kingdom.