Today, Wednesday, July 15, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, turns 77. It’s as good a day as any to look back at how a leader shaped the emirate from a modest trading centre into one of the most talked-about cities on the planet and at what he’s still got planned.
Happy Birthday, Sheikh Mohammed: Dubai’s Ruler Turns 77 Today
Who Is Sheikh Mohammed?
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum Al Falasi was born in Dubai on July 15, 1949, into the Al Maktoum family. He is the third of four sons born to HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who led Dubai from 1958 and is widely credited with laying the foundations of the modern emirate.
Sheikh Mohammed was privately educated from the age of four and began formal schooling at six. He later travelled to Cambridge, England, to study English, before training at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, now part of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The Road To Leadership
Following the UAE’s formation in December 1971, Sheikh Mohammed was appointed Minister of Defence at just 22, making him the world’s youngest defence minister at the time. He held that post for over five decades, only stepping back in 2024 when his son Sheikh Hamdan took over the role.
His responsibilities grew steadily from there. In 1977, he was handed the committee overseeing Dubai Airport, which kicked off an aviation strategy that turned Dubai into one of the world’s busiest hubs through its Open Skies policy. He later took on Dubai’s oil portfolio and, in 1985, assumed charge of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which combined with Jebel Ali Port to become one of the region’s most important trade hubs.
After Sheikh Rashid died in 1990, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid took over as Ruler, and in January 1995, signed a decree appointing Sheikh Mohammed as Crown Prince of Dubai a moment that would go on to define the emirate’s next three decades. Sheikh Mohammed became Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, following the unexpected death of Sheikh Maktoum, and was appointed Vice President of the UAE the very next day. He was nominated Prime Minister on February 11, 2006.
Also Read: It’s Sheikh Mohammed’s Birthday; 5 Facts About The Dubai Royal On His 77th Birthday
Megaprojects That Defined Dubai
Once in charge, Sheikh Mohammed moved fast. His tenure as Crown Prince alone saw the launch of the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai eGovernment, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, alongside the expansion of Dubai Airport and the beginnings of the Palm Islands, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, Business Bay and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
What He’s Building Now
The megaprojects haven’t stopped. Sheikh Mohammed’s current focus includes the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, shaping the city’s development for generations to come. Earlier this year, he announced the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a 42-kilometre line running through 15 key areas of the city, expected to serve around 1.5 million residents once complete in September 2032.
Another major project underway is the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, a 128 billion dirham development designed to handle up to 260 million travellers a year, nearly triple what DXB handles today. This year also saw the establishment of the Dubai Longevity Authority, a new body focused on longevity, wellness and preventative healthcare, supporting Dubai’s broader quality-of-life ambitions.
Also Read: HH Sheikh Mohammed Drops By Dubai’s New Coffee Spot, Cherry House Before Official Opening
Beyond Governance
There’s more to Sheikh Mohammed than skylines and metro lines. He’s also a celebrated Nabati poet, drawing inspiration from his father and Sheikh Zayed, and in his early days, he published poems under pseudonyms so they’d be judged on merit rather than his lineage.
From a young defence minister to the architect of Dubai’s skyline, Sheikh Mohammed’s fingerprints are on nearly every part of the city as it stands today.
Cover Image Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed/X
FAQs
When did Sheikh Mohammed become Ruler of Dubai?
He became Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, following the death of his brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
What are Sheikh Mohammed's key achievements?
He's credited with major Dubai landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Internet City, along with long-term national strategies.