Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, born on September seventh, nineteen forty-eight, served as the second president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi from two thousand four until his passing in two thousand twenty-two. As the eldest son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's first president, Khalifa began to assume presidential responsibilities in a de facto capacity during the late nineteen nineties due to his father's health issues.

Upon succeeding his father as ruler of Abu Dhabi on November second, two thousand four, Khalifa was elected president of the UAE the following day by the Federal Supreme Council. His leadership was marked by significant cultural and academic advancements in Abu Dhabi, including the establishment of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, New York University Abu Dhabi, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, as well as the founding of Etihad Airways.

Under Khalifa's presidency, the UAE emerged as a regional economic powerhouse, with substantial growth in its non-oil economy. He was recognized as a pro-Western modernizer, navigating the country through a complex political landscape while fostering closer ties with the United States and Israel. During the financial crisis of two thousand eight, he directed the allocation of billions of dollars in emergency bailout funds to support Dubai.

In January two thousand fourteen, Khalifa suffered a stroke, which led to a more subdued role in state affairs, although he retained ceremonial presidential powers. His half-brother, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, took on the public affairs and daily decision-making responsibilities of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In two thousand eighteen, Forbes included Khalifa in its list of the world's most powerful people. Following his death on May thirteenth, two thousand twenty-two, he was succeeded by his brother Mohamed.