The House of Maktoum makes the wealthy appear poor, opulence appear ordinary, and millions of dollars appear insignificant. The current ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his family are the richest in the city-state, with a net worth of $18 billion. With six spouses and 23 children, the family’s head lives an extraordinary life. Nothing about them is ordinary, including their home, hobbies, and events. Unbeknownst to many, Sheikh Maktoum’s first wedding set a Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Expensive Wedding.’ The month-long extravaganza cost $100 million and included a specially built stadium for the wedding. He has been the Emirate’s absolute ruler for the last 17 years, and he will be succeeded by heir apparent Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. The details of Dubai’s illustrious House of Maktoum’s animal-loving, art-crazed, and luxury-laden life are detailed below.
Sheikh Mohammed, a young man.The people behind the persona-Contrary to popular belief, Sheikh Mohammed, the third of four sons of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, was a prince but not a princely one. Before the glitzy hotels, massive man-made islands, and sky kissing skyscrapers, Dubai was merely a sleepy fishing village.
Modern-day Under Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership, Dubai has grown into a sprawling urban metropolis.It’s hard to believe, but the sheikh grew up in a house without electricity, and the large family had to sleep in one room with a fan on occasion. Even back then, his house housed over a hundred people, including guards and helpers.
Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Jordan, and Cristiano RonaldoThis cannot be said for his sons, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan and Mansoor bin Mohammed Almaktoum. By 1966, Dubai had discovered oil, and development proceeded at breakneck speed. In the years since, Dubai has evolved into a modern city and commercial hub. The princes were born into great wealth and lived extravagantly. They began their journey at the prestigious Rashid School for Bo in Dubai. They later relocated to the United Kingdom to attend Sandhurst, a prestigious military training college favoured by Middle Eastern royalty.
The world-famous Burj Al Arab hotel.Businesses that generate billions-With great wealth comes great responsibility, and Sheikh Mohammed certainly possesses both. “One of the world’s most prominent real estate developers,” according to the 73-year-old Emirati politician. The one-man army is the driving force behind Abu Dhabi’s transformation into a global city on par with Dubai. Emirates Airline, DP World, and the Jumeirah Group are among his government-owned companies.
The colossal Burj Khalifa.Some of these are held by Dubai Holding. Sheikh Mohammed is also responsible for the Palm Islands, the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel, and the world’s tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa.
Sheikh Mohammed inspects the Emirates A380’s redesigned lounge area.The Emirates Group, founded in 1985, consists of Dnata and Emirates Airline, the largest airline in the Middle East with flights to over 150 destinations. The award-winning airline is frequently referred to as the most luxurious in the world, with private suites and onboard shower spas available to first-class passengers.
First-class private suite.The enormously successful company has a global revenue of approximately $28.3 billion and employs over 105,000 people. Emirates declared that it had ended the fiscal year 2023 with an exceptional level of cash assets of $ 10.2 billion, 79% higher than on March 31, 2022.
Screenshot from YouTube.Where are the royals based?The king, queens, princes, and princesses of Dubai live in a $2 billion palace that is 27 times larger than the White House. The palace covers an area of approximately 44 hectares and is spread across 1.5 million square feet. The royal family are avid animal lovers; their home includes a private zoo with exotic animals such as tigers, lions, giraffes, and elephants. The massive mansion features a large swimming pool surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens and palm trees. In addition to comfortably housing the royals, the palace has a banquet hall for 1,000 guests and an 80-seat private cinema.
While there are no publicly available images of the Jabeel palace’s living areas. The Majlis occasionally hosts VIPs hosted by the royal family. The Arsenal football team is shown here during their visit to the UAE. Image courtesy of Facebook / Screengrab.Via Facebook / @ArsenalZabeel Palace is a work of art in design and architecture, with 22-carat gold accents, 200 chandeliers, and marble imported from 13 different countries. Outside, there are several horse stables and a tennis court for the accomplished equestrians who ride the finest Arabian horses in the world.
The Surrey estate is worth $100 million.They own several properties in the United Kingdom, which helps to put the wealthy Maktoum clan’s billions into perspective. Godolphin stables, the world’s most successful thoroughbred horse racing stables, purchased a $100 million Surrey estate with 63,000 acres of land. In the 1990s, he purchased the storied Longcross Estate to escape the sweltering heat of Dubai. In 2009, another $60 million was invested in Dalham Hall to be used as a stud farm near the Newmarket racecourse.
The remote Scottish estate of Sheikh Mohammed.Sheikh Mohammed paid $3 million for the Highland estate in Wester Ross nearly two decades ago. The magnificent estate features 58 bedrooms, a triple helipad, and a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge. Several apartments in London’s One Hyde Park development are in HH Sheikh Mohammed’s portfolio.
The family also owns Dalham Hall, a 3,300-acre estate in the United Kingdom.The Maktoum family also owns a number of properties in France, including a large estate near Chantilly. When they visit Amman, Jordan, they relax in a Swiss chalet in the exclusive ski resort of Verbier and live in their own palace. Sheikh Mohammed and his family spend their vacations in Tangier, Morocco, at their holiday palace.
Megayacht in Dubai. Photograph of a Yacht HarbourStunning and magnificent superyachts -Is it even possible to be a royal if you don’t have palaces on land, air, and sea? The UAE’s regal Vice President and Prime Minister owns several yachts, including Dubawi and Smeralda. The Crown Prince’s $400 million Dubai and $180 million megayacht Quattroelle, a floating Burj Al-Arab, are the most notable.
The Quartette The 531-foot Dubai features 50 luxurious guest rooms, a disco, a squash court, and a swimming pool with fibre optic lighting.
Swimming pool of the QuattroelleThe eight-decker sleeps 115 guests across its 88 cabins and is staffed by a crew of around 90 people. Lurssen Quattroelle is a humongous ship that dedicates an entire deck to her royal owner while accommodating 12 guests in 6 luxury cabins.
The private Boeing 747 Jumbo jet of the Sheikh.Private jets in palaces-Billionaires have private jets, but Dubai’s wealthy ruler owns a fleet of private jets. The Boeing 747-400, also known as the Dubai Air Wing One, is used for both private and official travel. Its size, luxurious amenities, and cutting-edge technology make it the first choice for Sheikh Mohammed and his family on international trips.
Alberto Pinto designed the interiors of a private Boeing 747. The image is only for illustration purposes.Interiors are kept under wraps for obvious reasons, but the world’s largest private jet usually includes a main bedroom with a full-sized king bed and en suite. Walk-in showers and a vanity with a mirror flanked by expensive toiletries are standard.
Some of the royal family’s other private jets. Image courtesy of DAEP.The main lounge is located upstairs, next to the royal children’s salon. A private office that doubles as a formal dining area, meeting and conference rooms, and several guest cabins are also available. Doesn’t that sound outrageously extravagant? Sheikh Mohammed’s other private planes are said to be a Boeing 737 and a Gulfstream G650.
Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya, his ex-wife.While we’re on the subject of travel, Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed used to enjoy travelling together. They once spent an incredible $3 million on strawberries and $850,000 on a summer vacation in Italy. In Greece, the couple racked up a $311,000 hotel bill. The Dubai ruler was forced to pay $700 million in divorce settlement to his ex-wife in the United Kingdom, making it one of the most expensive divorce settlements in British history.
At the Dubai Art Week, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.The royals enjoy fine art–the Zabeel Palace walls are a clear indication that the House of Maktoum values fine art. The opulent walls house an impressive art collection, including works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Auguste Rodin. Outside the palace walls, this taste can be seen at the Etihad Museum, which houses works from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s private collection. Works by Dia Azzawi, Baya Mahieddine, Naziha Selim, Abdul Qader Al Rais, and Fateh Moudarres highlight 20th-century Arab art.
@Dubai International Horse Fair on FacebookA natural affinity for horses and horse racing -Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a well-known racehorse owner and breeder who shares his passion for horses with his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also known as Fazza. Their breeding operations are among the most successful in the world, with Godolphin Stables having produced over 5,000 winners since its inception in 1992.
Crown prince Fazza has never been shy about expressing his affection for animals.@faz3 on InstagramTheir passion for animals is evident in the state-of-the-art facilities and high-quality care provided to the horses. Huge investments in technology and equipment ensure the horses’ health and well-being.
Sheikh Mohammed with his Derby winning horse.Via Facebook / @GodolphinOther stud farms that Dubai’s royal family own are Darley Stud in Newmarket, England, Jonabell Farm in Kentucky, USA, and Kildangan Stud in County Kildare, Ireland.