Description

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918–2004) was an Emirati leader, credited with founding the United Arab Emirates. He governed the Eastern Region before becoming Abu Dhabi's ruler in 1966 and later the UAE's first president until his passing in 2004. Revered as the "Father of the Nation," he played a pivotal role in uniting the seven emirates. Zayed succeeded his brother as Abu Dhabi's ruler after a peaceful coup in 1966.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the second president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 2004 until his death in May 2022, was the eldest son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's first president. He played a key role as crown prince in the late 1990s due to his father's health issues, and officially assumed leadership in Abu Dhabi in 2004. During his tenure, he oversaw Abu Dhabi's cultural and academic expansion, including the establishment of institutions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways. Under his presidency, the UAE became a significant economic force, and Khalifa was known for his pro-Western stance, deftly navigating regional politics and strengthening ties with the United States and Israel. Despite a stroke in 2014, he remained involved in ceremonial duties, with his half-brother, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, handling day-to-day affairs. Khalifa's death in 2022 marked the succession of his brother, Mohamed.