Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a senior Emirati statesman and military leader who served for years as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, before becoming the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates in 2022.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was born on 11 March 1961 in the city of Al Ain, part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. He is the son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, and Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi. His elder brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan later became Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates.

In 1979, Mohammed bin Zayed graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he received extensive training in armored warfare, helicopter operations, tactical aviation, and parachuting. His military education laid the foundation for a career that would combine strategic defense leadership with state governance.

Known in Western media by the initials “MBZ,” he assumed numerous military and civilian roles throughout his career. He served successively as Commander of the UAE Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and in 1993 was appointed Chief of the General Staff. He also acted as security adviser to his father during his presidency.

In 2003, Mohammed bin Zayed was appointed Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Following the death of his father on 3 November 2004, his brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was named Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. At that time, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was appointed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

In January 2005, his military rank was elevated to General, and he was named Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Simultaneously, he became Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, assuming responsibility for the emirate’s strategic development, governance, and long-term planning.

Beyond these roles, MBZ also served as Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, Chairman of the board of Mubadala Investment Company, head of the Tawazun Economic Council, and a member of the Supreme Petroleum Council. Through these positions, he played a central role in shaping Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification, defense industry development, and global investment strategy.

Although he officially held the title of Crown Prince for many years, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan effectively became the country’s de facto leader after 2014, when his brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan suffered a stroke and withdrew from active governance.

On 13 May 2022, following the death of his half-brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Mohammed bin Zayed became the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The following day, he was unanimously elected President of the United Arab Emirates by the Federal Supreme Council.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan married Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan in 1981. Their children are:
Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Zyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Hesa bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Maryam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Fatima bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Shamsa bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Shamma bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Source: Biyografiler.com