Sheikh Mohammed: A Past Remembered, A legacy Honoured
Singularly responsible for the breathtaking evolution of Dubai, the one who commands an extraordinary array of the world’s most prestigious enterprises, the one who changed the future of Dubai from a humble fishing village to an unparalleled global metropolis, but still has secrets no one knows about, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, this is about Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Popularly recognized as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, this renowned figure was born on July 15, 1949. Over the span of 74 remarkable years, he has accumulated a massive wealth, making him one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with an annual income exceeding twenty-six million dollars and counting. However, a mystery surrounds his ascent, implying an engaging narrative that provokes curiosity. In this tale, luxury meets mystery, inviting us to explore the hidden aspects responsible for his impressive accomplishments and the wide range of his power.
Being the third son of Dubai’s ruling Maktoum family, who come from the ‘House of Al-Falasi’. After Mohammed finished his early education in Dubai by private means of his father. He went to school in England at the ‘Bell Educational Trusts English Language School’ and further joined the ‘Mons Officer Cadet School’ in Aldershot, UK. After learning the ropes as a cadet, he headed to Italy to train as a pilot.
His father appointed him as the head of the ‘Dubai Police Force’ and the ‘Dubai Defence Force.’ Afterward, when the United Arab Emirates was formed, he became the very first defense minister of the UAE, all credit to the father he had.
As he was the youngest of two brothers, his older brother made him the “Crown Prince of Dubai” by signing two important documents. Eventually, he became the ruler of Dubai itself. The Federal National Council also gave him the role of vice president of the UAE. They even nominated him to be the prime minister of the UAE.
Indeed, his influence extends far and wide all over the world. However, it's important to note that his monumental achievements didn't happen overnight. After becoming the vice president in 2006, he founded a company called 'Dubai World,' which became the driving force behind the creation of 'Emirates Airlines,' 'DP World,' 'Logistics,' and 'Drydocks World.' These enterprises were instrumental in bolstering Dubai's transportation and infrastructure.
But he didn't stop there. Following the establishment of 'Dubai Holding' and 'Nakheel Property,' he went on to create iconic landmarks like the 'Nakheel Mall,' the extraordinary 'Palm Islands,' and the world-famous 'Burj Al Arab.' In essence, he's not just in control of Dubai; he holds a remarkable 99.67 percent stake in all the enterprises mentioned above.
He's not just a prominent figure in business and governance; his personal life is equally captivating. With a total of nine sons and 14 daughters from six different wives, his family is nothing short of a spacious dynasty.
But as they say, the story doesn't end there. History reveals there's much more beneath the surface. His life is a narrative of multifaceted dimensions, filled with both remarkable achievements and intriguing twists.
Mohammed, a man of many wives, often found himself in spectacular relationships usually ending in dramatic separation. The saga began in the 1970s when, at the young age of 23, he crossed paths with a young girl named Randa al-Banna in the busy streets of Beirut. What started as a romantic relationship ended in a nasty divorce when their daughter entered the World. The fallout of their marriage led to an astonishing twist – Mohammed, the powerful ruler, retained the sole custody of their child. Randa just like any mother out there cried and longed for her daughter and it's still the same.
The unanswered question is still there, what could have driven a man to keep a mother so separated from her own flesh and blood for so long?
The sheikh had several more wives, including one from Germany with whom he had a son, named Marwan. Despite being his eldest son, Marwan was not chosen as an heir, possibly due to his European appearance or distanced relationship with his father.
In contrast to Mohammed's disturbing relationships, there was another marriage that lasted a long time and is still going on. He married his cousin, Hind Al Maktoum, who became his most senior wife. They had 12 children together, and one of them was Rashid, who was the Crown Prince, but his life took a sad turn in 2015, and was stated that he died of a heart attack. Rashid's younger brother, Hamdan, now holds the title of Crown Prince.
Now, the stories of Mohammed's other wives take a different turn, and it's not all sunshine for them. Hooria, an Algerian lady, had five children with the sheik, but their story took a sad twist with a divorce. And then there's Lebanese wife Delilah, who went through something similar after bringing three children into the world.
But here's where it gets interesting, Zoe Grigorakos, a Greek lady who had a daughter named Christina. What's fascinating is that Mohammed acknowledged Christina after she moved to Dubai. She even converted to Islam and adopted the name Sheikha Mahra, who later married her cousin, Sheikh Mana.
Now, there are some missing puzzle pieces. We have very little information about the German woman who gave birth to Marwan, his eldest son. It's as if she vanished into thin air, leaving us with a mystery. Then, there's the Turkish wife, who had a daughter named Ela and then seemingly disappeared without a trace.
And the story gets even more mysterious when we talk about Mohammed's son, Suheil. His mother, Paulina Abi Rached from Lebanon, didn't receive recognition from Mohammed. Perhaps it's because she didn't convert to Islam, which could have played a part in this unexplained chapter of the tale.
In this royal saga, there's Princess Haya, a Native of Jordan, who was not just another one of Mohammed's wives. She made a courageous decision to part ways with her husband and take her children to London, a move that speaks of remarkable wisdom. But what makes this chapter even more captivating is the accusation she leveled against Mohammed – allegations of domestic violence. These accusations led to a courtroom battle that concluded with a settlement amounting to a whopping 730 million dollars. This settlement stands as the most expensive divorce resolution in the annals of British court history.
Another tragic story is that of Latifa, Mohammed’s daughter born to Houria, who was banished when Latifa was a baby, At the age of 10, Latifa learned she was not raised by her mother, and at 16, she attempted to escape her father’s custody twice, facing imprisonment.
Officially, Mohammed has six wives, but there is evidence of at least three unofficial ones, possibly more. The exact number remains known only to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al Maktoum.
But that is not all about Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid al Maktoum, besides his achievements in life and spectacular marriages, the one thing that is always in the news is his lavish lifestyle filled with everything, one could ever dream of.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, and his family are living the high life, to put it mildly. Their residence, Zabeel Palace, is no ordinary home. This massive estate in the heart of Dubai spreads out over nearly 15 hectares. It's the kind of place where you can lose yourself in 150 rooms, including a grand ballroom and plenty of guest suites.
Their palace comes with its own private zoo, complete with exotic animals like tigers, lions, gorillas, and monkeys. There's even a horse racing track, a collection of vintage cars, and an indoor swimming pool to enjoy.
Sheikh Mohammed isn't just into properties and animals, though. He's also quite the yacht enthusiast. He owns several mega-yachts, including the jaw-droppingly expensive Dubai and Quattroelle, which are worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
And when it comes to travel, he doesn't mess around. His fleet of Boeing 747 jets is registered to the Dubai Amiri Flight, which is basically a fancy way of saying he travels in style. These jets are known for their luxurious interiors and top-notch service.
The love for the finer things in life extends to art. You can see this in the impressive collection at the Etihad Museum, which features works from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's private art collection. It's like having a personal museum right at home.
But perhaps what they're most passionate about is horses. Sheikh Mohammed and his family are big names in the horse racing world. Their Godolphin Stables have won over 5,000 races worldwide since 1992. They own several studs farms, like Darley Stud in England and Jonabell Farm in the US, where they raise and care for these magnificent animals. Their commitment to technology and top-notch care shines through in their state-of-the-art facilities.
In the midst of controversies and challenges, Sheikh Mohammed has demonstrated remarkable resilience and unwavering commitment to Dubai's transformation. He's turned the desert into a thriving hub of progress and prosperity. His dedication to the well-being of his people is a testament to his extraordinary journey.
As we wrap up, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What's your take on Sheikh Mohammed's remarkable journey? also, subscribe to this channel for more interesting info like these, and press the bell icon so that you never miss an update. Until next time!
