Happy birthday, Sheikh Mohammed! Dubai’s leader turns 77 today
As Dubai’s Ruler celebrates his 77th birthday, we look back at the milestones, achievements and vision that have shaped the emirate
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, celebrates his 77th birthday today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Since becoming Ruler of Dubai in 2006, Sheikh Mohammed has overseen the city’s transformation into one of the world’s leading destinations for business, tourism and innovation. Today, that vision continues through initiatives such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which is shaping the city’s future for generations to come.
Early years
Sheikh Mohammed was born on July 15, 1949, at the Al Maktoum family house in Al Shindagha.
He is the third of four sons born to HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed was privately educated from the age of four, beginning his formal studies at the age of six at a local primary school.
Education
In 1966, Sheikh Mohammed travelled to the UK to study at an English language school in Cambridge.
From there, he would go on to attend Mons Officer Cadet School-Aldershot (currently the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst), as his studies took a military turn. He graduated as the top Commonwealth student.
He returned to Dubai in 1968, and at the tender age of 19, he received his first public position as head of the Dubai Police and Public Security. Three years later he was appointed Minister of Defence and became the world’s youngest defence minister.
Ruling Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed became Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, after the death of his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. And on January 5, 2006, the Federal Supreme Council appointed Sheikh Mohammed as Vice President of the UAE.
On February 11, 2006, the late UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan nominated Sheikh Mohammed as Prime Minister of the UAE.
Since then, Sheikh Mohammed has overseen a series of national strategies and long-term plans that have helped shape the UAE’s development. Among them was UAE Vision 2021, which aimed to position the UAE among the best countries in the world by the Golden Jubilee of the Union, also known as the Year of the 50th. Building on that vision, Sheikh Mohammed launched UAE Centennial 2071, a long-term strategy that extends the ambitions of UAE Vision 2021 for another five decades, helping prepare the nation for future generations.
Shaping Dubai’s future
Hatta Master Plan
Other megaplans launched by Sheikh Mohammed include the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which includes increasing the size of Dubai’s public beaches; Hatta Master Development Plan, and more. Sheikh Mohammed also approved the new futuristic master plan for Palm Jebel Ali, which will be twice the size of Palm Jumeirah. It will be home to no less than 80 new hotels and resorts and a wide choice of entertainment and leisure facilities.
Emaar Properties Metro Station
The Dubai Ruler also approved the Dubai Metro Blue Line – a new metro line that will connect with the existing Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines, serving nine key communities across Dubai. It is scheduled to begin operations on September 9, 2029.
Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed also announced the launch of the Dubai Metro Gold Line, which will stretch 42 kilometres, passing through 15 key strategic areas across Dubai. Once complete, it’s expected to serve around 1.5 million residents, making daily commutes smoother and cutting travel times across the city. It is scheduled for completion on September 9, 2032.
Al Maktoum International Airport expansion
Another landmark megaproject is the new passenger terminal at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (AMI) – a 128 billion dirham project that is set to handle up to 260 million travellers a year – nearly triple DXB’s current crowd.
This year, Sheikh Mohammed also established the Dubai Longevity Authority (DLA), a new entity dedicated to advancing longevity, wellness and preventative healthcare. It supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Social Agenda 33, helping position Dubai among the world’s leading cities for quality of life.
Sheikh Mohammed this year also announced that the UAE will become the first government in the world to deploy Agentic AI at scale across its public sector. The move reinforces the UAE’s position as a global leader in the adoption of agentic AI across government services.
These are just some of the many initiatives announced under Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership, each helping shape Dubai’s future as one of the world’s most ambitious cities.
*Spotted: Sheikh Mohammed visits these restaurants in Dubai*
Beyond his role as a leader, Sheikh Mohammed is also a celebrated Nabati poet, accomplished endurance rider, horse racing enthusiast and philanthropist. His passion for horses remains well known, and he is a regular presence at major racing events around the world. His poetry, meanwhile, continues to reflect his love of heritage, leadership and the Arabic language.
Happy birthday, Sheikh Mohammed!
Images: Dubai Media Office
