Luxury on another level: the glamorous life of Dubai’s royal ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – the multibillionaire earns big from Emirates and Burj Al Arab, and splashes on superyachts

Aug 8 , 2023

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is known to live a lavish lifestyle as the head of Dubai. Photos: Reuters, AP, Lurssen

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has an estimated net worth of US$18 billion, giving the current ruler of Dubai plenty of room to spend his money – from properties to fine art

The House of Maktoum family are said to live in the enormous Zabeel Palace while the sheikh’s son Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed Al Maktoum, aka Fazza, is also a big spender who loves animals

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, and his family are among the wealthiest in the Middle East, if not the world. According to The Richest, he has an estimated net worth of US$18 billion.

The head of the family has been married six times and has 23 grandchildren, according to Metro and Emirates Woman. Nothing is ordinary about them, be it their home, hobbies or events they attend.

Here’s a peek inside Dubai’s House of Maktoum’s animal-loving, art-crazy, luxury life.

Meet Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai and his royal family

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum speaks at an investment conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2009. Photo: AP

Sheikh Mohammed was born the third of four sons of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.

Way before the glitzy hotels, ginormous man-made islands and sky-kissing skyscrapers, Dubai was but a humble and sleepy fishing village. By 1966, Dubai struck oil and development took place at record speed. In the following years, Dubai transformed into a modern city and commercial hub.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (second from the right), ruler of Dubai, and other members of the royal family attend Eid Al Fitr prayers, marking the end of Ramadan, in 1996. Photo: Reuters

According to the sheikh’s website, he lived a happy childhood with his family showering him with love.

Crown prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan and Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

His sons, crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aka Fazza and Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, grew up living the lavish life.

The princes began their journeys at Dubai’s prestigious Rashid School, per Zawya. According to other sources, they later moved to the UK to attend Sandhurst, a top training college for British military officers favoured by Middle Eastern royals as well as British royals like Prince William and Prince Harry.