Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (تميم بن حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني; born 3 June 1980) is Emir of Qatar, reigning since 2013.

Tamim is the fourth son of former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, born to his second spouse, Moza bint Nassir.

Tamim bin Hamad was born on 3 June 1980 in Doha, Qatar.

He is the fourth son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and second son of Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, Hamad's second wife.

Tamim was educated at Great Britain's Sherborne School (International College) in Dorset, and at Harrow School, where he sat his A-Levels in 1997.

He then attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, graduating in 1998.

Sheikh Tamim was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Qatar Armed Forces upon graduation from Sandhurst.

At the 113th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February 2002, he was elected as a member of the IOC.

He became heir apparent in 2003 when his older brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim to the throne.

He became the heir apparent to the Qatar throne on 5 August 2003, when his elder brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim to the title.

Since then he was groomed to take over rule, working in top security and economics posts.

On 5 August 2003, he was appointed deputy commander-in-chief of Qatar's armed forces.

Sheikh Tamim promoted sport as part of Qatar's bid to raise its international profile.

He became crown prince on 5 August 2003, after his brother Sheikh Jassim had stepped down.

In 2005 he founded Oryx Qatar Sports Investments, which owns Paris Saint-Germain F.C. among other investments.

In 2006, he chaired the organizing committee of the 15th Asian Games in Doha.

Under his leadership, all member countries attended the event for the first time in its history.

That year Egypt's Al Ahram voted Tamim "the best sport personality in the Arab world".

He became emir when his father abdicated in his favor in 2013.

Tamim rules an authoritarian regime in Qatar.

He holds all executive and legislative authority in Qatar; political parties are forbidden, and elections are not free and fair.

He has been involved in efforts to raise Qatar's international profile through hosting sports events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as well as buying Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

On 25 June 2013, Tamim's father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, revealed to close relatives and aides that he planned to step down as the Emir of Qatar.

Tamim then became the Emir of Qatar after his father handed over power in a televised speech.

He was the first ruler, in a succession of three Qatari rulers from the Al Thani family, to ascend to power without a coup.

According to The Economist, of his siblings who had previously contended for the throne, "One played too much, the other prayed too much."

The transition of power went smoothly, as family members hold many of the nation's top posts.

According to a diplomatic source close to the Al Thani family, Sheikh Tamim has "a strong personality" that allowed him to "establish himself within" the ruling House of Thani.

Under his guidance, Qatar won the rights to host the 2014 FINA Swimming World Championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Tamim is chairman of the National Olympic Committee.

He headed Doha's bid for the 2020 Olympics.

The country hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Qatar is estimated to have spent around $200 billion on infrastructure in preparation for the event.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Committee completed its tour to Doha in November 2020, and confirmed that the city will have much to offer for the Asian Games, and that they were satisfied with the prioritizing and support from Tamim.

At the 39th General Assembly of the OCA, President Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah announced that Doha would host the 2030 Asian Games.

Sheikh Tamim heads the Qatar Investment Authority board of directors.

Under his leadership, the fund has invested billions in British businesses.

It owns large stakes in Barclays Bank, Sainsbury's, and Harrods.

The fund also owns a 95% share of Europe's fourth tallest building, the Shard, a skyscraper in London.

Tamim has also held a number of other posts, including: