Top 10 Richest Sheiks in the World
The ten richest sheikhs and Gulf business families, with the energy, banking and property holdings behind the totals. Most Gulf fortunes blend private assets with state investment funds, so every figure is an estimate.
Last reviewed: Read our methodology
The ranking at a glance
The top three in this ranking, based on our dated estimates.
The richest sheiks in the world
- 1
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al NahyanSovereign and family holdings · Nov 3, 2026$30B - 2
Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanSovereign wealth and family assets · Nov 3, 2026$30B - 3
Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumDubai state-linked holdings, real estate · Nov 3, 2026$16B - 4
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al ThaniQatar Investment Authority and royal family holdings · Nov 3, 2026$10B - 5
Mohammed Al AmoudiOil refining, construction and agriculture · Nov 3, 2026$8B - 6
Abdul Aziz Al GhurairMashreq Bank and the Al Ghurair Group · Nov 3, 2026$7.5B - 7Abdulla Al GhurairTrading, property and food businesses · Nov 3, 2026$6B
- 8Sultan bin Mohammed Al KabeerAgriculture and food industry holdings · Nov 3, 2026$6B
- 9
Mohammed bin SalmanState investment funds and family assets · Nov 3, 2026$5B - 10Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al ThaniRoyal family holdings and sports investment · Nov 3, 2026$800M
| Rank | Person | Estimated net worth | Main wealth source | Estimate date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30B | Sovereign and family holdings | ||
| 2 | $30B | Sovereign wealth and family assets | ||
| 3 | $16B | Dubai state-linked holdings, real estate | ||
| 4 | $10B | Qatar Investment Authority and royal family holdings | ||
| 5 | $8B | Oil refining, construction and agriculture | ||
| 6 | $7.5B | Mashreq Bank and the Al Ghurair Group | ||
| 7 | $6B | Trading, property and food businesses | ||
| 8 | $6B | Agriculture and food industry holdings | ||
| 9 | $5B | State investment funds and family assets | ||
| 10 | $800M | Royal family holdings and sports investment |
Behind the fortunes
A closer look at each name on this list: how the money was made and where it sits today.
1. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
$30BSheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, a UAE vice president and the owner of City Football Group, which controls Manchester City.
View Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's profile2. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
$30BMohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan became president of the United Arab Emirates in 2022 after years as crown prince and de facto decision maker in Abu Dhabi.
View Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's profile3. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
$16BMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has run Dubai for two decades and shaped its economy around aviation, ports, tourism and real estate developed through state-linked companies.
View Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's profile4. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
$10BTamim bin Hamad Al Thani became emir in 2013 when his father abdicated. Qatar’s gas revenue flows into a sovereign fund that the ruling family has used to buy assets around the world.
View Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's profile5. Mohammed Al Amoudi
$8BMohammed Al Amoudi built one of the largest private fortunes in both Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. He was detained in Saudi Arabia in 2017 and released the following year.
View Mohammed Al Amoudi's profile6. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair
$7.5BAbdul Aziz Al Ghurair turned a family trading business into a banking and industrial group. He has also served as speaker of the UAE’s Federal National Council.
View Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair's profile7. Abdulla Al Ghurair
$6BAbdulla Al Ghurair was the family elder whose trading house grew into one of Dubai’s largest privately held groups. The fortune is shared across a large family and held in private companies.
View Abdulla Al Ghurair's profile8. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Kabeer
$6BSultan bin Mohammed Al Kabeer is a member of the Saudi royal family with a business career in farming and food. His holdings are unusual for a prince because they are industrial rather than land-based.
View Sultan bin Mohammed Al Kabeer's profile9. Mohammed bin Salman
$5BMohammed bin Salman became the dominant figure in Saudi government and controls the Public Investment Fund, a sovereign vehicle with hundreds of billions in assets. His personal wealth is separate but hard to untangle.
View Mohammed bin Salman's profile10. Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani
$800MKhalid bin Hamad Al Thani belongs to the Qatari royal family and has built a public profile through sport and entertainment businesses rather than government office.
View Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani's profile
How this list is compiled
Every entry is pulled from our shared profile dataset and sorted by estimated net worth in US dollars. Each estimate adds up documented assets, such as reported contracts, endorsement income, company stakes and property, and subtracts known debts. These are editorial estimates, not financial advice.
Read our methodology