Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani became the Emir of Qatar at the age of 33. He is the fourth son of the previous Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He became Emir of Qatar on 25 June 2013 after his father's abdication. In his leadership Qatar became the richest country in the world with a GDP per capita of $90,149. He has received many international Awards including Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (France, 2010).

Tamim was born in Doha in 1980. He was the fourth son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Al Thani became the Gulf state's heir apparent in 2003 after his older brother Jasim renounced his claim to the throne. He completed his school at Britain's Sherborne School in Dorset. Now this schools's only overseas branch operates in Doha.

In 2006, a famous Egyptian daily Al-Ahram declared him "the best sport personality in the Middle East". During the same year he supervised the organising committee of the 15th Asian Games in Doha, which was attended by all member nations for the first time.