In a recent report by GQ, the Al Nahyan royal family of Dubai has been declared the wealthiest in the world, boasting a staggering ₹4,078 crore presidential palace, a fleet of eight private jets, and ownership of the popular football club, Manchester City.
Headed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), the family's opulent lifestyle extends to a diverse range of assets, from luxury properties in global cities to significant stakes in prominent companies.
With control over approximately six per cent of the world's oil reserves, the Al Nahyan family has positioned itself as a formidable force in the global economy. Notable investments include ownership of the Manchester City football club and strategic stakes in renowned companies such as Rihanna's beauty brand Fenty and Elon Musk's SpaceX.
The younger brother of the UAE President, Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan al Nahyan, has raised eyebrows with his extravagant car collection, featuring over 700 vehicles, including the world's largest SUV. The collection includes rare and high-end models like five Bugatti Veyrons, a Lamborghini Reventon, a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, a Ferrari 599XX, and a McLaren MC12.
The Al Nahyan family resides in the gilded Qasr Al-Watan presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, a sprawling estate covering nearly 94 acres. Boasting a chandelier made of 350,000 crystals and housing prized historic artefacts, the palace is the largest among several owned by the family in the UAE.
Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president's brother, heads the family's chief investment company, which has experienced an astronomical growth of almost 28,000 per cent in the last five years. Currently valued at $235 billion, the company has diversified interests in agriculture, energy, entertainment, and maritime businesses, employing tens of thousands of individuals.
Beyond the UAE, the Dubai royals own luxury properties worldwide, including in Paris and London. A 2015 report by the New Yorker highlighted that the Dubai royal family's assets rival those of the British royal family, underlining the extent of their global influence.
In 2008, MBZ's Abu Dhabi United Group acquired the UK football team Manchester City for ₹2,122 crore. The company also holds an 81 per cent stake in the City Football Group, operating football clubs such as Manchester City, Mumbai City, Melbourne City, and New York City.