Dubai Princess Haya fled Dubai and her husband with her children in June reportedly out of fear for her life. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, one of the most high-profile leaders in the Middle East, is renowned for his large wealth, family and future aspirations for the United Arab Emirates. The family have made headlines many times over the years for their philanthropy and family dramas.
Who is Sheikh Mohammed?
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.
Since the death of his brother and his subsequent accession, he has been focused on making the UAE “one of the best countries in the world” by 2021.
He is responsible for the growth of Dubai into a global city, as well as the launch of a number of major enterprises including Emirates Airline, DP World, and the Jumeirah Group.
Dubai Princess Haya: UAE Leader Sheikh Mohammed has been married at least six times (Image: GETTY)
The 70-year-old UAE leader has also overseen the development of many projects in Dubai such as the creation of a technology park and a free economic zone, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, the Dubai International Finance Centre, the Palm Islands and the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Sheikh Mohammed is also a keen equestrian, alongside his wife Princess Haya, and is the founder of the Maktoum family-owned Godolphin racing stable and the owner of Darley, a thoroughbred breeding operation with operations in six countries.
Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya were often spotted attending Royal Ascot and other horse racing events in the UK – and were even friendly with the Queen.
In addition to a busy professional life, Sheikh Mohammed’s personal life is also very hectic.
READ MORE: The Queen makes special honour to Dubai’s Princess Haya
Dubai Princess Haya: Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Ascot (Image: INDIGO/GETTY)
The 70-year-old has had at least six marriages in his life – the first of which was to his first cousin Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai’s ruling family by birth, in 1979.
She is the First Lady of Dubai and the mother of twelve of Sheikh Mohammed’s children including his heir-presumptive, Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum who was born in 1982, after Mohammad’s eldest son Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed died of a heart attack in September 2015.
His other known wives include Lebanese-born Sheikha Randa bint Mohammed Al-Banna, Lebanese-born Sheikha Delila Aloula, algerian-born wife Sheikha Houria bint Ahmed Al M’aash, Greek-origin Mrs. Zoe Grigorakos, another unknown wife and Jordan’s Princess Haya.
Dubai Princess Haya: Princess Haya arrives at a trophy presentation in 2018 (Image: KARIM SAHIB/AFP/GETTY)
Who is Princess Haya?
Princess Haya bint Hussein is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and his third wife Queen Alia, and the half-sister of King Abdullah II.
She was born in Jordan but was educated in the UK in Bristol and at Oxford University for her degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
The 45-year-old married the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 2004, aged 29, becoming his sixth and “junior wife”.
Dubai Princess Haya: Princess Haya is a keen equestrian (Image: TIM GRAHAM/GETTY)
She gave birth to her first child, Sheikha Jalila bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2007 and her second Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2012.
The mother-of-two is accomplished at horse riding, becoming the first woman to represent her native Jordan in international equestrian sport and the only woman to win a medal in the Pan-Arab Equestrian Games.
In June 2019, it was reported that she had fled from her husband in Dubai with her children and was seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Sources close to the princess said she fled because she was in fear for her life and she had found out upsetting news about the mysterious return to Dubai of one of Sheikh Mohammed’s daughters, Sheikha Latifa last year.
Dubai Princess Haya: Princess Haya and her daughter in 2012 (Image: DAVID CANNON/GETTY)
Sheikh Mohammed this week petitioned the UK’s High Court of Justice for custody of their children – as well as petitioning for the court to impose reporting restrictions.
Princess Haya also petitioned the court for wardship of her children through a forced marriage protection order and a non-molestation order.
The case began in London on Tuesday and is still ongoing.
Dubai Princess Haya: Princess Haya at Royal Ascot in 2018 (Image: MAX MUMBY/INDIGO/GETTY)
But how much could Princess Haya earn as a result of the divorce?
Princess Haya reportedly fled Dubai with her children and a sum of £31million.
She is said to be living in a townhouse in Kensington Palace Gardens worth £85m and she will want to remain in the UK.
Sheikh Mohammed is counted among the top ten richest royals in the world.
He had an estimated family net worth of around $4 billion (£3.3 billion) in 2011 according to Forbes.