Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the world’s richest monarchs, with a fortune of $18 billion. But despite his immense wealth and power, several of his wives and even children have tried to escape from his rule. Why? Let’s break it down.
Too Many Wives, Too Many Problems
Sheikh Mohammed has had at least six official wives and several unofficial ones. Some of these women stayed with him for years. Others? They fled or were cast aside.
- Princess Haya: She escaped with her two children in 2019, fearing for her safety.
- Randa al-Banna: Married at 16, divorced, and banned from seeing her daughter for life.
- Hind Al Maktoum: The only wife who managed to maintain a stable relationship, giving birth to 12 children.
- Several others: Divorced, abandoned, or left without access to their children.
Marriage, Divorce, and Control
Many of Sheikh Mohammed’s wives were married off young. If they fell out of favor, they faced divorce, exile, or losing their children.
- Randa al-Banna’s story is heartbreaking. She was thrown out of the palace when her daughter was just five months old. She spent 20 years trying to see her child, only to be banned from Dubai for life.
- A German woman bore him a son, Marwan, but was never officially recognized. The Sheikh simply took the child and raised him separately.
- A Turkish wife disappeared without a trace after giving birth to a daughter in 1997.
These cases suggest a pattern of absolute control—wives were discarded, and children were often kept away from their mothers.
The Case of Princess Haya
Princess Haya was one of the most powerful and educated wives of Sheikh Mohammed. But she knew what had happened to his previous wives. She feared that history would repeat itself.
- Instead of waiting for divorce and separation from her children, she ran away to London.
- She hired top security, filed for divorce, and won a $730 million settlement.
- Rumors say she was also afraid for her life because of her relationship with a British security guard.
Unlike others before her, Haya took control of her fate before it was too late.
The Daughters Who Tried to Escape
It wasn’t just the wives who suffered. Several of Sheikh Mohammed’s daughters also tried to escape.
- Sheikha Shamsa fled while in England in 2000. She was later kidnapped and returned to Dubai, where she has remained unseen.
- Sheikha Latifa attempted a dramatic escape in 2018, fleeing Dubai on a yacht. She was captured off the Indian coast and forcibly taken back.
- Sheikha Mahra, born to a Greek woman, lived in Europe before later moving to Dubai and accepting Islam.
The common theme? A lack of personal freedom.
How Many Wives Does Sheikh Mohammed Really Have?
Officially, he had six wives. But in reality?
- He had at least three unofficial wives.
- Many children were born to these women, but some were never fully recognized.
- Some women disappeared after giving birth, while others were abandoned.
The exact number of wives and children? Only Sheikh Mohammed knows the full truth.
Final Thoughts
Despite his power and wealth, Sheikh Mohammed’s personal life is filled with scandals, heartbreak, and control. His wives weren’t just leaving behind a rich husband—they were escaping a life of restrictions and fear.
And for some, escape wasn’t even an option.
What do you think? Was it just cultural differences, or something deeper? Let us know!