Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was born at Qasr Al-Muwaiji in Al Ain, the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the United Arab Emirates. He served as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council from 1969, overseeing the federation's armed forces and oil production.

Succeeding his father as President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi in November 2004, Sheikh Khalifa oversaw unprecedented economic diversification and international prominence. Under his chairmanship, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) grew into one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, exceeding $800 billion. In 2009, during the global financial crisis, Abu Dhabi provided a critical $10 billion bailout to neighboring Dubai; in gratitude, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum surprised the world at the 2010 inauguration by naming the world's tallest tower the Burj Khalifa. Sheikh Khalifa also expanded civil empowerment through the Federal National Council.