DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates' long-ailing ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, died Friday, the government announced in a brief statement. Sheikh Khalifa’s father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is widely revered by Emiratis as the country’s founding father. “Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, supporter and mentor, may Allah Almighty grant you eternal peace." Khalifa was born in 1948 in the inland oasis of Al Ain, near the border with the sultanate of Oman, and named after his great grandfather, Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbout. Sheikh Khalifa was believed to be among the world’s richest rulers with a personal fortune estimated by Forbes magazine in 2008 at $19 billion.

Source: Forbes May 13, 2022 14:57 UTC