Interesting facts about sheikhs in Dubai – life, fortune, controversies

Fun facts about the sheikhs of Dubai always spark the imagination. On one hand, you have wealth and luxury in Dubai, private jets, palaces of the sheikhs and stables full of Arabian horses. On the other – the complex history of the Al Maktoum family, politics, human rights debates and headlines in Western media that like to occasionally “criticise the behaviour of the Sheikh”.

This article brings together fun facts about the royal family of Dubai, showing both the bright and the darker sides of power in one of the richest cities in the Middle East.

Who are the sheikhs of Dubai?

In the simplest terms, when we say “the Sheikh of Dubai”, we mean the ruling family – the Al Maktoum dynasty. These are the rulers of the emirate, who have governed it since the 19th century. Today, the word “sheikh” usually means:

• a member of the ruling royal family,

• a high-ranking representative of power in the United Arab Emirates,

• often also a businessman who oversees huge companies and investments.

For many residents of the UAE, the sheikhs are both symbols of Bedouin tradition and the faces of a modern, ultra–modern city – Dubai.

Who currently rules Dubai?

The current ruler of Dubai and at the same time the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates is
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (often shortened to “Sheikh Mohammed” or “Mohammed bin Rashid Al”).

He holds several roles at once:

• ruler of the emirate (the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai),

• Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE,

• the main architect of Dubai’s development vision – “his city”.

He is the driving force behind many of the projects you later visit as attractions in Dubai: skyscrapers, artificial islands, the modern metro, the huge airport and the famous shopping malls.

A brief background – the history of the Al Maktoum family

The history of the Al Maktoum family begins in the 19th century, when part of the Bani Yas tribe moved to the creek and took control of a small trading settlement. For many decades, Dubai lived off:

• maritime trade,

• pearl diving,

• later – oil, and above all services, logistics and finance.

In the 20th century, successive rulers from the Al Maktoum family consciously opted for economic openness. Thanks to this, Dubai moved ahead of many other countries in the Middle East: it attracted capital, merchants and specialists until it became what we see today – a global hub that people choose for organised trips to Dubai, city breaks and longer stays.

What does daily life of the sheikhs in Dubai look like?

What is daily life like for the sheikhs in Dubai? In many people’s imagination it’s just gold, marble and superyachts. Reality is more complex:

• the ruler’s daily schedule is full of meetings with ministers, investors and delegations from all over the world,

• decisions about infrastructure, law, security and the economy,

• presence at state, religious and cultural events.

Of course, the lifestyle of Arab sheikhs is full of luxury – palaces of the sheikhs in Dubai, private jets and yachts, private security, staff – but behind all of this stands a person responsible for a city of several million people.

If you’re looking for contrast, it’s clear when you compare the everyday life of a tourist planning accommodation in Dubai and sightseeing with the responsibility of governing one of the most important cities in the region.

How much wealth do the sheikhs of Dubai have?

One of the most common questions is: “how much wealth do the sheikhs of Dubai have?” or simply: “how much does a sheikh in Dubai earn?”

There’s no simple salary table for the ruler. His fortune – and the assets the sheikhs in the UAE own – is a mix of:

• stakes in aviation, port, hotel and financial companies,

• plots and properties in Dubai and around the world,

• returns from investment funds,

• valuable assets like horses, yachts and art.

Western media estimates speak of fortunes in the tens of billions of dollars, but the details are not public. In practice, it’s more accurate to ask “what kind of assets do the sheikhs in the UAE own?” than “how much exactly does one sheikh earn?”.

Where do the sheikhs’ fortunes come from?

Where do the sheikhs get their money from? At the beginning, oil revenues were crucial, but Dubai quickly realised that this would not be enough. That’s why the rulers of the emirate focused on:

• developing trade and logistics (Port Jebel Ali, Dubai International Airport),

• tourism and luxury hotels,

• the financial sector, real estate and global investments,

• attracting tech companies and start–ups.

Today, his government works to keep the economy as diversified as possible and to make Dubai’s development vision ambitious and long-term. That’s why wealth and luxury in Dubai are no longer just about “oil”, but about an entire service machine.

Sheikhs and their luxury hobbies

When it comes to fun facts about the sheikhs of Dubai, you can’t skip the topic of hobbies.

Arabian horses and racing

Sheikh Mohammed is well known in the world of horse racing – he is behind the Godolphin stable and the Darley breeding empire. Arabian horses and horse racing are not just a hobby for him, but also a tool for building prestige on a global scale.

The sheikhs’ cars

The cars of the sheikhs are collections that could easily function as small museums – supercars, off-road monsters, limousines, often in unique colour combinations, with distinctive licence plates. For residents and tourists, they’re part of the “street spectacle”, especially around luxury hotels and shopping centres.

Private jets and yachts

On top of that come private jets and yachts – some of the largest in the world. One of the most famous superyachts is simply called “Dubai”. It’s the essence of what many people have in mind when they ask: “do the sheikhs really live in such extreme luxury?” – yes, luxury is an everyday reality here, although we only see a small fragment of the whole picture.

Bedouin traditions versus modern Dubai

Behind all this luxury, Bedouin traditions are still present:

• hospitality,

• the strong role of family,

• attachment to the desert, camels and horses,

• traditional clothing and the Arabic language.

The rulers of the United Arab Emirates try to emphasise that modernity and glass skyscrapers do not mean abandoning their roots.

Controversies and the private life of the Sheikh of Dubai

Like many contemporary leaders, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is not completely free from controversy. From time to time, international media and human rights organisations comment on his family life, decisions related to custody law or, more broadly, the Sheikh’s conduct as a ruler in the context of the Middle East. These are, however, above all external perspectives, based on Western standards and sensitivities.

Within the United Arab Emirates, the main emphasis is placed on economic development, security and stability. For many residents, it is precisely his city, his vision for Dubai’s development and the role he has played in turning the emirate into a global metropolis that are the key elements in how they judge their ruler. That is why, despite ongoing debates in the foreign press, the image of the Sheikh of Dubai in the region remains very strong – as a leader who turned a small port into a modern, globally recognisable city.

Palaces of the sheikhs in Dubai – marble, gold and… politics

When people talk about the palaces of the sheikhs in Dubai, they usually mean huge residences surrounded by greenery, fountains and high walls. The most famous is Zabeel Palace, the official palace of the Sheikh, but the family owns more residences – including outside the UAE.

For tourists, these places are mostly a backdrop – you see them from afar while driving to other attractions in Dubai or returning to your hotel after a full day of sightseeing. But from a political perspective, each palace is also a centre of power, where decisions are made that affect the emirate’s position in the region and the daily lives of its residents.

How does an ordinary tourist feel the influence of the sheikhs?

If you’re planning organised trips to Dubai, your hotel, desert safari, trip to an observation deck and other attractions – your entire daily schedule is actually possible thanks to the decisions of the emirate’s rulers.

It’s his city – from the legal system and security to how the streets look and what investments are built. You only see the final result:

• a smoothly functioning airport,

• a huge range of accommodation in Dubai,

• dozens of attractions and shopping centres,

• a strong sense of safety in the streets.

Behind the scenes there is a system in which the ruler of Dubai and the entire Al Maktoum family have real influence over each of these elements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who are the sheikhs of Dubai?

   They are first and foremost members of the Al Maktoum family – the ruling royal family of Dubai. Some of them hold official state positions, some manage businesses and investment funds, and others are active in sports, culture or diplomacy.

2. Who currently rules Dubai?

   The current ruler of Dubai is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – who is also Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s Vice President. He is the face of modern Dubai and the main architect of its development.

3. What is life like for the sheikhs in Dubai?

   Life of the sheikhs in the UAE combines immense luxury (palaces, yachts, private planes) with intense work for the state: meetings, briefings, representing the country, overseeing investments. It’s not “retirement in a golden palace”, but a very demanding public role – though under conditions completely different from those of ordinary citizens.

4. Can you meet a sheikh in Dubai?

   In theory, yes – they appear at horse races, official ceremonies or project openings. In practice, the average tourist rarely has direct contact with members of the royal family. It’s much easier to “meet” their image on billboards, in the news or on social media than in a hotel lobby.