Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is an Emirati politician and royal figure who currently serves as Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
After the death of Sheikh Mohammed’s brother Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2006, Sheikh Mohammed succeeded him as Vice President of the UAE President and Ruler of Dubai.
Prior to that, he held various leadership positions within the UAE government, including as Crown Prince of Dubai from 1995 to 2006.
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- Full name: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- Stage name: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- Date of birth: July 15, 1949
- Age: 75 years old
- Birthplace: Al Shindagha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Nationality: UAE
- Occupation: Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates
- Height: unknown
- Parents: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Latifa bint Hamdan bin Zayed
- Brothers and sisters: Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Im, Fatima Rashid Al Maktoum Im, Maryam Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, Hassa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Meisha bint Mohammed bin Rashid ·Al Maktoum.
- Spouse: Haya bint Hussein (m. 2004–2019), Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum (m. 1979)
- Children: 26
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $4 billion
early life and education
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born on July 15, 1949 in Al Shindagha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He is the son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai, and his wife Sheikh Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, an Abu Daughter of the former ruler of Zabi.
Muhammad was the third of four sons and had siblings Maktoum, Hamdan and Ahmed. He has several sisters including Fatima, Maryam, Hasa and Maysa.
Muhammad received private tuition in Arabic and Islamic studies from an early age. He began his formal education at Al Ahmedia School in 1955 and later attended Al Shaab and Dubai Secondary Schools.
In 1966, he went to study at the Bell Educational Trust English Language School in the UK. He then attended Mons Cadet School in Aldershot, graduating with the Sword of Honor as the best student in the Commonwealth. He also received pilot training in Italy.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is an Arab Muslim and the tribal leader of the Farasi family, Dubai’s ruling family. He played a key role in the development and growth of the city over the past few decades.
Profession
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum began his illustrious career after returning to Dubai from military training. At the age of 20, his father appointed him head of the Dubai Police Force and the Dubai Defense Force (which later became part of the Federal Defense Forces).
In January 1968, after Britain announced its intention to withdraw from the armistice countries, Mohammed was present when his father and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan first met in the desert to agree to form a federation of emirates.
The United Arab Emirates was established on December 2, 1971, and 22-year-old Mohammed became the country’s first defense minister.
On January 3, 1995, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed’s brother, signed two decrees.
One of them appointed Mohammed as crown prince, and the other appointed his brother Hamdan as deputy ruler of Dubai. Later that year, Mohammed founded the Dubai Shopping Festival, an annual event that contributes significantly to the UAE economy.
As the absolute ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (a position appointed by the president), Mohammed presided over Dubai’s transformation into a global city. He oversaw the formation of numerous state-owned enterprises, including Emirates Airline, DP World and Jumeirah Group, some of which are owned by Dubai Holding.
Mohammed played a key role in the development of several iconic projects in Dubai, such as The Palm, Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. These projects contribute to the city’s reputation as a center of innovation and architectural excellence.
However, Muhammad’s rule was considered authoritarian, had no democratic institutions, and prohibited internal dissent. Scholars describe the government as authoritarian, and in 2020 a British court found Mohammed guilty of kidnapping his two daughters, Shamsa and Latifa. It threatened his ex-wife, Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan.
Despite these controversies, Mohammed remains a prominent figure on the global stage. An avid equestrian, he is the founder of Godolphin Stables, owned by the Maktoum family, and owner of Darley, a thoroughbred breeding company active in six countries. In 2012, he won the FEI World Endurance Championship by riding Madji Du Pont over 160 kilometers.
Mohammed’s vast wealth and influence come primarily from his real estate investments and development projects. The lines between the Dubai government and the assets of the ruling Al Maktoum family are blurred, with land owned by Mohammed being managed as a state asset.
Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding his rule, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s legacy is undoubtedly defined by his key role in transforming Dubai into a global city, his vision for diversifying the UAE’s economy and his Shaped by achievements in equestrian sports.
In summary, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s career was marked by a meteoric rise to power, the transformation of Dubai, and both praise and criticism of his authoritarian leadership and actions. There is no denying his impact on the UAE and the global stage, making him a complex and influential figure in the region’s history.
social media
- Instagram account: @hhshkmohd
personal life
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Ruler of Dubai. He was married many times and had a large family.
His first senior wife was Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum, whom he married in 1979. Later, in 2004, he married Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan.
Sheikh Mohammed had a total of 26 children during his marriage. As of 2023, he is only married to his second wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum. He divorced all his other wives, including Princess Haya bint Hussein.
Among Sheikh Mohammed’s children are two prominent sons: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, who is actively involved in the affairs of the emirate, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed.
net worth
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, has an estimated net worth of approximately $4 billion, making him one of the richest monarchs in the world.
He has been a driving force in Dubai’s transformation into a global city, spearheading the creation of state-owned enterprises such as Emirates Airline, Jumeirah Group and DP World.
According to the Emirates Group’s 2023 report, the company generated extraordinary revenue of $119.8 billion. The group’s influence extends beyond its commercial investments as it develops iconic landmarks in Dubai including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and The Palm.
