Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aka Dubai Sheikh , the ruler of Dubai and the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, has a staggering net worth of $14 billion. A visionary leader, he has played a key role in transforming Dubai into a global financial and tourism hub. Sheikh Mohammed owns 99.67% of Dubai Holding, an investment conglomerate with interests spanning real estate, hospitality, and telecommunications. He is also the mastermind behind some of Dubai’s most iconic developments, including the artificial Palm Islands, the Burj Khalifa, and Emirates Airline.
Dubai Sheikh Net Worth | $14 Billion |
Date of Birth | July 15, 1949 |
Place of Birth | Dubai |
Early Life
Sheikh Mohammed was born on July 15, 1949, in Dubai, before the United Arab Emirates was officially formed. He hails from the ruling Al Maktoum family, which has governed Dubai for generations. His father, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, was the ruler of Dubai, and his mother, Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, was the daughter of a former ruler of Abu Dhabi. He is the third of four sons in his family.
His education began in Dubai before he moved to the United Kingdom in 1966. There, he attended the Bell Educational Trust’s English Language School before undergoing military training at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, now part of Sandhurst.
Political Leadership
Sheikh Mohammed’s political career began when his father appointed him as the head of the Dubai Police Force and the Dubai Defence Force. He was present during the historic 1968 meeting between Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s rulers that led to the creation of the United Arab Emirates. When the UAE was officially founded in 1971, Sheikh Mohammed became the country’s first Minister of Defence.
In 1995, his older brother, Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, appointed him as Crown Prince of Dubai. Following his brother’s passing in 2006, Sheikh Mohammed became the ruler of Dubai. Shortly after, he was named the UAE’s Vice President and later confirmed as Prime Minister. Under his leadership, Dubai has seen massive economic growth, pioneering large-scale infrastructure projects and making the city a global business powerhouse.
Dubai Holding and Dubai World
Beyond politics, Sheikh Mohammed is a business magnate with a vast economic empire. He controls Dubai Holding, a multi-billion-dollar investment firm with major stakes in real estate, telecommunications, and hospitality. The company oversees Jumeirah Group, TECOM Investments, Dubai Properties Group, and Emirates International Telecommunications.
He also founded Dubai World in 2006, which manages assets across logistics, property, and investments. The conglomerate owns DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, and Nakheel Properties, responsible for developing the famous Palm Islands. Dubai World has expanded its reach to investments in the U.S., U.K., and South Africa.
Transforming Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed has been instrumental in positioning Dubai as a global tourist and aviation hub. He launched Emirates Airline, now the largest airline in the Middle East and one of the world’s leading carriers. He also oversaw the creation of FlyDubai, a budget airline serving regional destinations.
His vision has also reshaped Dubai’s skyline. The Burj Al Arab, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, was developed under his leadership in 1997. His ambitious Palm Islands project, featuring man-made islands extending into the Persian Gulf, has become a symbol of Dubai’s innovation. In 2010, he inaugurated the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, alongside The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall by total area.
Philanthropy
Sheikh Mohammed is also committed to philanthropy. He established the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, a foundation uniting 33 charitable organizations focused on humanitarian aid, education, and economic development. In 2005, he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, aimed at fostering leadership and governance skills in the region.
Personal Life
Sheikh Mohammed has led an extravagant personal life. He has fathered 19 children, and his 1979 wedding to his first wife set a Guinness World Record for the “Most Expensive Wedding,” costing the equivalent of $100 million in today’s value. His second official wife, Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan, married him in 2004 before their high-profile divorce in 2019.
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He is also known for his love of luxury. He owns a 531-foot, $350 million yacht named Dubai, which boasts seven decks and opulent accommodations for 24 guests and 80 crew members.
Dubai Sheikh Net Worth
Dubai Sheikh net worth is $14 billion.