Tutankhamun facts for kids Tutankhamun became pharaoh when he was very young. He was only about eight or nine years old! This was after Akhenaten and one or two other rulers had short reigns. When he became king, Tutankhamun took the special royal name Nebkheperure. He ruled for about nine years. Because he was so young, older advisors likely helped him make big decisions. One important helper.