Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was celebrating his 75th birthday on Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed, also Prime Minister, has played a critical role in the rise of the emirate and the UAE on the international stage during a life dedicated to public service.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, paid homage to his father in a message on social media.
Sheikh Hamdan, who was named Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence on Sunday, shared a video montage chronicling Sheikh Mohammed's life, from a young child growing up in Dubai before the formation of the UAE through to his role leading the transformation of the city into a global business and tourism hub.
"Happy birthday," Sheikh Hamdan wrote on X, accompanied by the footage spanning several decades.
Sheikh Mohammed was born on July 15, 1949, and raised in Al Maktoum family home in Shindagha on the banks of Dubai Creek.
He was tutored privately in Arabic and Islamic studies from the age of four and began formal education two years later.
He later trained at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in the UK, which is now part of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. There he would emerge as the top Commonwealth student before going to Italy to be trained as a pilot.
In 1968, aged 19, he became the world’s youngest defence minister and was appointed the head of Dubai Police and Public Security force.
He became the nation’s first Minister of Defence in 1971 after the formation of the UAE, a crucial role now being carried out by his son, Sheikh Hamdan.
While a significant part of his development took place under the tutelage of academics and military officials overseas, sitting under the learning tree provided by his father, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, in the Emirates proved vital.
Sheikh Rashid died in October 1990 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid, with Sheikh Mohammed appointed Crown Prince in 1995.
Sheikh Mohammed became Ruler of Dubai in 2006 after the death of Sheikh Maktoum, who died unexpectedly on a visit to Australia.
He has been a driving force behind the continued rise of Dubai in the years since, overseeing the opening of the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, in 2010, the launch of Dubai Mall, the Dubai Metro rail network and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
Dubai's population has soared from 1.7 million in 2009 to more than 3.7 million today, as it cements its status as a leading destination to live, work and conduct business.
