Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name in Arabic | الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان |
| Lived | 1948 to 2022; born at Al Muwaiji Fort, Al Ain |
| Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi | From 1 February 1969 |
| President of the UAE | 3 November 2004 to 13 May 2022 |
Source: UAE Government Portal: The late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan1
Early years
Sheikh Khalifa was born at Al Muwaiji Fort in Al Ain in 1948 and went to school in Al Ain at the city's first school, built by his father. In August 1966, aged 18, he became his father's representative in the Eastern Region and head of its judicial system.1
Abu Dhabi and the federation
He became Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on 1 February 1969 and oversaw the Abu Dhabi Defence Force, which became the core of the UAE Armed Forces. In 1974 he became the first Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and in 1976 he established the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and became Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.1
He was elected President on 3 November 2004, the day after Sheikh Zayed died. In 2007 he established the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, which works in health and education.1
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: The late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet
Facts checked 22 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information.