View source for Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

{{Short description|Sheikh of Abu Dhabi from 1966 to 2004}}
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{{Redirect-multi|2|Zayed|Sheikh Zayed}}
{{Family name hatnote|lang=Arabic|[[Al Nahyan]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name          = {{ubl|Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|{{langn|ar|زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان}}}}
| image         = Sheikh Zayed with King Faisal, 1974 (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Sheikh Zayed in 1974
| succession    = 1st [[President of the United Arab Emirates]]
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| termstart     = 2 December 1971
| termend       = 2 November 2004
| primeminister = {{ubl|[[Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]|[[Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum]]|Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum}}
| vicepresident = {{ubl|Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum|Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum}}
| predecessor   = ''Position established''
| successor     = [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]}}
| succession1   = [[Ruler of Abu Dhabi]]
| reign1        = 6 August 1966 – {{nowrap|2 November 2004}}
| predecessor1  = [[Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan]]
| successor1    = Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1918|5|6|df=y}}<ref name="NYT"/><!-- sources say "around 1918" -->
| birth_place   = [[Qasr Al Hosn|Qasr Al-Hosn]], [[Abu Dhabi]], [[Trucial States]]
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|2004|11|2|1918|5|6|df=y}}
| death_place   = Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| burial_place  = [[Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque]]
| spouses       = {{ubli|[[Hassa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan]]|Sheikha bint Madhad Al Mashghouni|[[Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi]]|[[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]]|Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki|Amna bint Salah Buduwa Al Darmaki}}
| issue         = {{ubl|[[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Khalifa]]|[[Sultan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sheikh Sultan]]|[[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Mohamed]]|[[Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sheikh Hamdan]]|[[Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Mansour]]|[[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Abdullah]]}}
| issue-link    = #Marriage and children
| issue-pipe    = more...
| full name     = Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan
| house         = [[Al Nahyan]]
| father        = [[Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan|Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
| mother        = [[Salama bint Butti Al Qubaisi]]
| religion      = [[Sunni Islam]]
}}

[[Sheikh]] '''Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan''' ({{langx|ar|زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان|Zāyid bin Sulṭān Āl Nahyān}}; 6 May 1918&nbsp;– 2 November 2004) was an Emirati royal, politician, philanthropist and the founder of the [[United Arab Emirates]]. Zayed served as the governor of [[Al Ain Region|Eastern Region]] from 1946 until he became the ruler of [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi|Abu Dhabi]] in 1966, and served as the first [[president of the United Arab Emirates]] from its independence on 2 December 1971. He retained his position as Abu Dhabi's ruler from 1971 until his death in 2004.<ref name="thesis">{{Cite web |url=http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/3448/1/electronic_version_of_my_thesis.pdf |title=The Political Thought of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |last=Hamad Ali Al Hosani |format=PhD Thesis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date=15 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/international/middleeast/03zayed.html |title=Zayed bin Sultan, Gulf Leader and Statesman, Dies |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=3 November 2004 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=25 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730112802/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/03/international/middleeast/03zayed.html |archive-date=30 July 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kill2005mar">{{Cite journal |last=Killgore |first=Andrew I. |date=March 2005 |title=Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918–2004) |url=http://www.wrmea.org/wrmea-archives/272-washington-report-archives-2000-2005/march-2005/8590-in-memoriam-sheikh-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan-1918-2004.html |journal=[[Washington Report on Middle East Affairs]] |page=41 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is revered in the United Arab Emirates as the ''Waalid al-Ummah'' ("[[Father of the Nation]]"), credited for being the principal driving force behind the [[unification of the United Arab Emirates]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Salim|first=Sahim|title=UAE themes: From Year of Zayed to Giving and Tolerance|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/photos/nation/uae-themes-from-year-of-zayed-to-giving-and-tolerance|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Khaleej Times|language=en|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322041324/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/photos/nation/uae-themes-from-year-of-zayed-to-giving-and-tolerance|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Freelance|first=Motivate|date=2021-03-16|title=Sheikh Khalifa announces 2021 as Year of the 50th|url=https://gulfbusiness.com/sheikh-khalifa-announces-2021-as-year-of-the-50th/|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Gulf Business|language=en-US|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322122516/https://gulfbusiness.com/sheikh-khalifa-announces-2021-as-year-of-the-50th/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Year-long grand celebrations marking 50 years of UAE|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/year-long-grand-celebrations-marking-50-years-of-uae-1.77870867|access-date=2021-03-22|website=gulfnews.com|date=16 March 2021 |language=en|archive-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322190829/https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/year-long-grand-celebrations-marking-50-years-of-uae-1.77870867|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Monsy|first=Karen Ann|title=Watch: Sheikh Zayed at first police graduation ceremony 50 years ago|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/watch-sheikh-zayed-at-first-police-graduation-ceremony-50-years-ago|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Khaleej Times|language=en|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307122043/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/watch-sheikh-zayed-at-first-police-graduation-ceremony-50-years-ago|url-status=live}}</ref>

Zayed replaced his older brother Sheikh [[Shakhbut bin Sultan]] as the ruler of Abu Dhabi on 6 August 1966 after Shakhbut was deposed through a [[1966 Dubaian coup d'état|bloodless coup]] by members of the ruling family with British support.<ref name="B2013">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iih_tdb1rlIC&pg=PT155 |title=British Policy in the Persian Gulf, 1961–1968: Conceptions of Informal Empire |last=Helene von Bismarck |date=29 March 2013 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-137-32673-7 |page=183 |quote=On the evening of 4 August, a letter was eventually delivered to Nuttall in the political agency in Abu Dhabi, stating the desire of the 'Heads and lawful representatives of [the] Ruling family' to depose the ruler and asking the British Government for its help in removing him from the shaikhdom|access-date=14 May 2022}}</ref>

==Family and early life==
Zayed was the youngest of four sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.<ref name="thesis"/><ref name=kill2005mar/> His father was the ruler of [[Abu Dhabi]] from 1922 until his death in 1926. Zayed was the youngest of his four brothers.<ref name="thesis"/> His eldest brother, Sheikh [[Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], became ruler of Abu Dhabi after their uncle, [[Saqr bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]. His mother was Sheikha Salama bint Butti.<ref name="uzi2006may">{{Cite journal |last=Rabi |first=Uzi |date=May 2006 |title=Oil Politics and Tribal Rulers in Eastern Arabia: The Reign of Shakhbut (1928– 1966) |url=http://ipac.kacst.edu.sa/eDoc/2006/161361_1.pdf |journal=British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=37–50 |doi=10.1080/13530190600603832 |s2cid=145543142 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509032519/http://ipac.kacst.edu.sa/eDoc/2006/161361_1.pdf |archive-date=9 May 2013 |access-date=17 April 2013 }}</ref><ref name="bush27feb">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/heritage/memories-of-a-simpler-time |title=Memories of a simpler time |last=Al Hashemi |first=Bushra Alkaff |date=27 February 2013 |work=The National |access-date=20 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502200733/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/heritage/memories-of-a-simpler-time |archive-date=2 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> She extracted a promise from her sons not to use violence against each other, a promise which they kept.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael Tomkinson |title=The United Arab Emirates &#91al-Imārāt al- ʻArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah (romanized form)&#93 |url=https://archive.org/details/unitedarabemirat00tomk |date=1970 |isbn=0-9504344-3-4 |id=0950434434 |access-date=3 August 2016 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Sheikh Zayed was named after his grandfather, [[Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan|Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan]] ("Zayed the Great"), who ruled the emirate from 1855 to 1909.<ref name="jof3nov">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/nov/03/guardianobituaries.israel |title=Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |last=Joffe |first=Lawrence |date=3 November 2004 |work=The Guardian |access-date=18 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828163111/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/nov/03/guardianobituaries.israel |archive-date=28 August 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of Sheikh Zayed's birth, the sheikhdom of Abu Dhabi was one of seven [[Trucial States]] along the lower coast of the [[Persian Gulf]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Donald Hawley |author-link=Donald Hawley |title=The Trucial States |publication-date=1971 |year=1970 |edition=second impression |location=London |publisher=Allen & Unwin |isbn=0-04-953005-4 |ol=5274266M |id=0049530054 }}</ref> He also showed interest in [[falconry]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/european-falconers-recall-charm-of-sheikh-zayed-if-there-was-a-room-he-filled-it-1.682676 |title=European falconers recall charm of Sheikh Zayed: 'If there was a room, he filled it' |date=8 December 2017 |access-date=4 January 2018 |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105000711/https://www.thenational.ae/uae/european-falconers-recall-charm-of-sheikh-zayed-if-there-was-a-room-he-filled-it-1.682676 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Zayed was born at [[Qasr al-Hosn]], [[Abu Dhabi]], in 1918<ref>{{Cite book |title=With United Strength: H.H. Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan |date=2013 |publisher=Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research |isbn=978-9948-14-575-2 |editor-last= |edition= |location=Abu Dhabi |pages=63}}</ref> and moved from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain in 1926, after the death of his father.<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="ame2nov">{{Cite news |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/sheikh_zayed_bin_sultan_al_nahyan/ |title=The legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Father of the UAE |date=2 November 2004 |work=AMEinfo |access-date=18 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429104101/http://www.ameinfo.com/sheikh_zayed_bin_sultan_al_nahyan/ |archive-date=29 April 2013 }}</ref> As Zayed was growing up in Al-Ain, there were no modern schools anywhere along the coast. He only received a basic instruction in the principles of Islam, and lived in the desert with [[Bedouin]] tribesmen, familiarising himself with the life of [[Emiratis|the people]], their traditional skills and their ability to survive under the harsh climatic conditions.<ref name="zayedbio1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100213181006/http://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/~eesa/History/zayed.html UAEU Bio]</ref>

==Career and reign==
[[File:Khalifa and Zayed Al Nahyan.jpg|thumb|Sheikh Zayed next to his son [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Khalifa]]]]
Zayed was appointed the governor of the [[Al Ain Region|Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi]] in 1946,<ref name=jof3nov/> and was based in [[Qasr Al Muwaiji|the Muwaiji fort]] in Al Ain. At this time, the area was poor and prone to outbreaks of disease. When parties from Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) began exploring for oil in the area, Zayed assisted them.<ref name=EH/>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}

In 1952, a small Saudi Arabian force led by Turki bin Abdullah Al-Otaishan occupied the village of Hamasa in the [[Al Buraimi Governorate|Buraimi Oasis]] (the '[[Buraimi Dispute]]'). Zayed was prominent in his opposition to Saudi territorial claims and reportedly rejected a bribe of about £30 million to allow [[Aramco]] to explore for oil in the disputed territory. As part of this dispute, Zayed and his brother [[Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Hazza]] attended the Buraimi arbitration tribunal in Geneva in September 1955 and gave evidence to tribunal members. When the tribunal was abandoned amid allegations of Saudi bribery, the British initiated the reoccupation of the Buraimi Oasis through a local military force, the [[Trucial Oman Scouts|Trucial Oman Levies]]. A period of stability followed during which Zayed helped to develop the region and took a particular interest in the restoration of the ''falaj'' system, a network of water channels which kept the plantations of the Buraimi Oasis irrigated and fertile.<ref name="EH">{{Citation |last=Edward Henderson |title=This strange eventful history |date=1988 |location=London |publisher=Quartet Books |isbn=0-7043-2671-X |ol=1844865M |id=070432671X }}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}<ref name="DT">{{Citation |title=Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |date=4 November 2004 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1475775/Sheikh-Zayed-bin-Sultan-Al-Nahyan.html |work=Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625073818/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1475775/Sheikh-Zayed-bin-Sultan-Al-Nahyan.html |url-status=live |place=London |archive-date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

The discovery of oil in 1958, and the start of oil exports in 1962, led to frustration among members of the ruling family about the lack of progress under Sheikh Shakhbut's rule.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://specialoperationshistory.com/items/show/1160 |title=Farewell Arabia (1968) |website=Special Operations History Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429073026/http://specialoperationshistory.com/items/show/1160 |archive-date=29 April 2016 |access-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shakhbut was seen as averse to spending revenue from oil money to develop the emirate by other members of Al Nahyan and hence they requested British help to install Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the ruler of Abu Dhabi in his stead through a bloodless coup.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Colgan |first=Jeff D. |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780197546376.001.0001/oso-9780197546376 |title=Partial Hegemony: Oil Politics and International Order |date=2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-754637-6 |pages=149–150 |language=en |doi=10.1093/oso/9780197546376.001.0001 |access-date=18 April 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208020504/https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780197546376.001.0001/oso-9780197546376 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 August 1966, Shakhbut was deposed in a bloodless palace coup.<ref name="Bismarck2013">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iih_tdb1rlIC&pg=PT155 |title=British Policy in the Persian Gulf, 1961–1968: Conceptions of Informal Empire |last=Helene von Bismarck |date=29 March 2013 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-137-32673-7 |page=155 |access-date=16 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The move to replace Shakhbut with Zayed had the unanimous backing of the Al Nahyan family.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Now the Dust Has Settled |last=De Butts |first=Freddie |publisher=Tabb House |year=1995 |isbn=1-873951-13-2 |page=209}}</ref> The news was conveyed to Shakhbut by British Acting Resident Glen Balfour-Paul who added the support of the British to the consensus of the family. Shakhbut finally accepted the decision and, with the Trucial Oman Scouts providing safe transport, left for [[Bahrain]].<ref name=DT/><ref>{{Citation |last=Christopher M. Davidson |title=Abu Dhabi oil and beyond |date=2009 |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |ol=23186143M }}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}<ref name=":0"/> He subsequently lived in [[Khorramshahr]], Iran before returning to live in [[Al Buraimi Governorate|Buraimi]].<ref name=":0"/>

In the late 1960s, Zayed hired Katsuhiko Takahashi, a Japanese architect, to design and plan the city of Abu Dhabi.<ref>[http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/building-a-city-from-the-sands Building a city from the sands] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |date=5 February 2017 }} ''The National''. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2016.</ref> Takahashi, working to instructions from Zayed, often marked out in sand with a camel stick,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zacharias |first=Anna |date=2020-05-04 |title=How Abu Dhabi was built: a tale told through its multi-cultural architecture |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/how-abu-dhabi-was-built-a-tale-told-through-its-multi-cultural-architecture-1.1014774 |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731172942/https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/how-abu-dhabi-was-built-a-tale-told-through-its-multi-cultural-architecture-1.1014774 |url-status=live }}</ref> was responsible for a number of key buildings, while also introducing wide roads, the construction of [[Corniche|corniches]] and also greening the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-05 |title=Sheikh Abdullah honours family of the Japanese architect who designed Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/sheikh-abdullah-honours-family-of-the-japanese-architect-who-designed-abu-dhabi-1.718806 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616212931/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/sheikh-abdullah-honours-family-of-the-japanese-architect-who-designed-abu-dhabi-1.718806 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another architect, Egyptian Abdulrahman Makhlouf, also worked to render Zayed's instructions into city plans and infrastructural projects following Takahashi's departure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Rory |date=2021-12-14 |title=City planner behind Abu Dhabi's layout dies aged 98 |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/2021/12/14/city-planner-behind-abu-dhabis-layout-dies-aged-98/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=The National |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731173343/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/2021/12/14/city-planner-behind-abu-dhabis-layout-dies-aged-98/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Between 8–11 January 1968, the UK's Foreign Office Minister [[Goronwy Roberts]] visited the Trucial States and announced to its shocked rulers that the United Kingdom would abrogate its treaties with them and intended to withdraw from the area.<ref>{{Cite book |title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates |last=Heard-Bey |first=Frauke |publisher=Longman |year=1996 |isbn=0-582-27728-0 |location=UK |page=339}}</ref> In a seminal meeting on 18 February 1968 at a desert highland on the border between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai shook hands on the principle of founding a Federation and attempting to invite other trucial rulers to join in order that a viable nation be formed in the wake of the British withdrawal.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Spirit of the Union |last=Maktoum |first=Mohammed |publisher=Motivate |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-86063-330-0 |location=UAE |pages=30–34}}</ref>

In 1971, after occasionally difficult negotiations with the other six rulers of the [[Trucial States]], the United Arab Emirates was formed. Zayed was appointed to the presidency of the [[UAE]] in 1971 and was re-elected on four more occasions: 1976, 1981, 1986, and 1991.<ref>{{Citation |last=Federal Research Division |title=United Arab Emirates: A Country Study |date=June 2004 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H5PjAAAACAAJ&q=uae |publication-date=2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610052655/https://books.google.com/books?id=H5PjAAAACAAJ&dq=uae&hl=en&ei=deQjTuLKH8KDhQfX0OGgAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBTgo |url-status=live |publisher=Kessinger Publishing |isbn=978-1-4192-9211-8 |access-date=3 August 2016 |archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref>

In 1974, Zayed settled the outstanding border dispute with Saudi Arabia by the [[Treaty of Jeddah (1974)|Treaty of Jeddah]] by which Saudi Arabia received the output of the Shaybah oilfield and access to the lower [[Persian Gulf]] in return for recognising the UAE.<ref>Schofield R., Evans K.E. (eds) ''Arabian Boundaries: New Documents'' (2009), vol. 15, pp. viii–xv.</ref>

In 1976 he founded the [[Abu Dhabi Investment Authority]], which grew to be the [[List of countries by sovereign wealth funds|world's third-largest sovereign investment fund]] by 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2020-08-16|title=Report: Abu Dhabi Investment, the third largest sovereign wealth fund in the world|url=https://www.saudi24news.com/2020/08/report-abu-dhabi-investment-the-third-largest-sovereign-wealth-fund-in-the-world.html|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Saudi 24 News|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with nearly a [[trillion]] [[US dollar]]s' worth of assets under management.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bloomberg|date=2021-03-02|title=Wealth fund newbie comes into focus in Abu Dhabi's $1 trillion sovereign hub|url=https://gulfbusiness.com/wealth-fund-newbie-comes-into-focus-in-abu-dhabis-1-trillion-sovereign-hub/|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Gulf Business|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523130618/https://gulfbusiness.com/wealth-fund-newbie-comes-into-focus-in-abu-dhabis-1-trillion-sovereign-hub/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Attitudes==
[[File:Sheikh Zayed visiting Kairouan.jpg|thumb|Sheikh Zayed salutes Tunisian crowd during his visit to [[Kairouan|Kairouan City]] in the mid-70s]]

Sheikh Zayed was determined to unite the Emirates into [[federation]]. His calls for cooperation extended across the Persian Gulf to [[Iran]]. He advocated dialogue as the means to settle the row with [[Iran|Tehran]] over three strategic Persian Gulf islands which Iran seized from the (future) UAE Emirate of [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] in 1971. The islands remain in Iranian hands, despite over three decades of UAE diplomatic initiatives.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

The attitude of Zayed towards his neighbors can best be seen{{Opinion|date=January 2020}} in his position regarding the "Umm al Zamul" dispute (1964), when he expressed a genuine wish that his brother [[Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sheikh Shakhbut]] would accept "the Sultan's proposal for a neutral zone". He said in that regard: "... it was ridiculous to squabble over a [water] well so bitter that few bedouin could stomach its waters, or to split hairs over a tiny area of barren, almost totally unfrequented desert. And even if there happened to be oil in the area, Abu Dhabi had so much already that she could well afford to spare some for her less fortunate neighbours".<ref name="Maitra 2015">{{Cite book |title=Zayed: From challenges to union |last=Maitra |first=Jayanti |date=2015 |publisher=National Archives, Abu Dhabi, UAE |isbn=978-9948-05-066-7 |edition=Second}}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}

Furthermore, during the negotiations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai that resulted in forming the Abu Dhabi — Dubai Union (which preceded the formation of the United Arab Emirates), Sheikh Zayed was extremely generous with the Sheikh Rashid of Dubai. Kemal Hamza, Sheikh Rashid's envoy to the meeting between Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid in Sumeih remarked that "Zayed was extremely 'karim' (generous) throughout the negotiations and seemed prepared to give Rashid whatever he wanted". This amounted to Zayed giving Rashid "oil rights in the sea-bed that might be worth milions a year" even at the risk of criticism "at home for giving so much..." It also gave rise to comments that such concessions constituted "an alienation of territory by Abu Dhabi". But the future course of events proved, none of these arguments stood the test of judgment in light of the much higher goal that Sheikh Zayed had in mind, and which in the ultimate analysis amply justified the sacrifices incurred by him. Such concessions are rare in the records of history and news of this generosity travelled far and wide.<ref name="Maitra 2015"/>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}

He was considered a relatively [[Social liberalism|liberal ruler]], and permitted private media. However, they were expected to practice self-censorship and avoid criticism of Zayed or the ruling families. Freedom of worship was permitted, and to a certain extent allowances were made for expatriate cultures, but this did not always sit comfortably in the eyes of the wider Arab world with Zayed's role as a Muslim head of state.<ref name=DT/>

Zayed did not shy away from controversy when it came to expressing his opinions on current events in the Arab world. Troubled by the suffering of Iraqi civilians, he took the lead in calling for the lifting of economic sanctions on [[Iraq]] imposed by the United Nations in the aftermath of the Iraqi invasion of [[Kuwait]] in 1990, despite Kuwaiti displeasure and opposition.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/viewnews.asp?NewsFileName=20000131.htm |title=UAE – News Reports |work=UAE Interact |access-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504105409/http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/viewnews.asp?NewsFileName=20000131.htm |archive-date=4 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Zayed was one of the wealthiest men in the world. A ''[[Forbes]]'' estimate put his fortune at around US$20 billion in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0315/130.html |title=Royals & Rulers |date=15 March 2004 |work=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110235514/http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0315/130.html |archive-date=10 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The source of this wealth was almost exclusively due to the immense oil wealth of [[Abu Dhabi]] and the Emirates, which sit on a pool of a tenth of the world's proven oil reserves. In 1988, he purchased, for £5m, [[Tittenhurst Park]] at [[Sunninghill, Berkshire]] as his English home.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gen4trip.com/en/source-article/view?id=22917 |title=Tittenhurst Park |website=gen4trip.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817234352/http://www.gen4trip.com/en/source-article/view?id=22917 |archive-date=17 August 2016 |access-date=3 August 2016 |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://beatlesblogger.com/2011/05/14/tittenhurst-park/ |title=Tittenhurst Park |date=14 May 2011 |website=Beatles Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date=3 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.philsbook.com/startling.html |title=Ascot Studios – Startling Studios Tittenhurst Park |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805025359/http://www.philsbook.com/startling.html |archive-date=5 August 2016 |access-date=3 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.beatlesbible.com/1973/09/18/ringo-starr-buys-tittenhurst-park-from-john-lennon-yoko-ono/ |title=The Beatles Bible – Ringo Starr buys Tittenhurst Park from John Lennon and Yoko Ono |date=18 September 1973 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820011227/https://www.beatlesbible.com/1973/09/18/ringo-starr-buys-tittenhurst-park-from-john-lennon-yoko-ono/ |archive-date=20 August 2016 |access-date=3 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Policies and charity==
At the time the British withdrew from the [[Persian Gulf]] in 1971, Zayed oversaw the establishment of the [[Abu Dhabi]] Fund for Arab Economic Development; some of its oil riches were channeled to some forty less fortunate Islamic nations in Asia and Africa during the decades that followed.<ref name="Maitra 2015"/>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}

In 1970 Zayed donated £50,000 to British politician [[Christopher Mayhew]] to establish an Arab Friendship Foundation. He also donated £40,000 to [[Margaret McKay]], then president of the Anglo-Jordanian Alilance, to purchase a house to be used as a cultural and recreational centre for Arab students.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kochen |first=Lionel |author-link=Lionel Kochan |date=1970 |title=Great Britain |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23604055 |journal=The American Jewish Year Book |volume=71 |pages=392–414 |jstor=23604055}}</ref>

Using the country's enormous oil revenues, Zayed built institutions such as hospitals, schools and universities and made it possible for [[UAE]] citizens to enjoy free access to them. In 1959, he founded the [[Al Nahyaneia Model School]], the first formal school in the city of [[Al Ain]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |url=https://www.mohamedbinzayed.ae/en/enduring-legacy/the-late-sheikh-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.mohamedbinzayed.ae |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.abudhabiresidentsoffice.gov.ae/About-Abu-Dhabi/History-Of-Abu-Dhabi |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=Abu Dhabi Residents Office |language=en}}</ref> He was also known for making donations to the tune of millions [pounds sterling] for worthy causes around the Arab World as well as in the neighbouring countries and in the world at large.<ref name="Maitra 2015"/>{{page needed|date=August 2020}}

When asked by ''[[The New York Times]]'' in April 1997 why there is no elected [[parliamentary democracy|legislature]], Zayed replied, <blockquote>Why should we abandon a system that satisfies our people in order to introduce a system that seems to engender [[dissent]] and confrontation? Our system of government is based upon our religion and that is what our people want. Should they seek alternatives, we are ready to listen to them. We have always said that our people should voice their demands openly. We are all in the same boat, and they are both the captain and the crew. Our doors are open for any opinion to be expressed, and this well known by all our citizens. It is our deep conviction that Allah has created people free, and has prescribed that each individual must enjoy [[freedom of choice]]. No one should act as if they own others.

Those in the position of leadership should deal with their subjects with compassion and understanding, because this is the duty enjoined upon them by Allah, who enjoins upon us to treat all living creatures with dignity. How can there be anything less for mankind, created as Allah's successors on earth? Our system of government does not derive its authority from man, but is enshrined in our religion and is based on Allah's Book, the [[Quran]]. What need have we of what others have conjured up? Its teachings are eternal and complete, while the systems conjured up by man are transitory and incomplete.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RhpFQpXwddoC |title=Folklore and Folklife in the United Arab Emirates |last=Hurreiz |first=Sayyid H. |date=1 January 2002 |publisher=Psychology Press |via=Google Books |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date=12 July 2016 |url-status=live |isbn=978-0-7007-1413-1 }}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Sheikh Zayed dancing with Yemeni locals.png|thumb|Sheikh Zayed dancing the traditional dance "Bara'a" with a [[Jambiya]] along with Yemeni locals in [[Marib]] after the reopening of the [[Marib Dam]]]]
Land was also often distributed ''gratis'' (free). However, while this policy benefited many landless families, enormously wealthy clans and individuals were given free land grants in proportion to their status and influence with the royal family. His majlis (a traditional Arab [[Public consultation|consultation]] council) was open to the public.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} He allowed non-Muslim religious buildings, such as churches and a temple, to be built.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} Zayed was also in favour of certain rights for women, such as access to education and women's labour rights, within traditional parameters. His views regarding [[women's rights]] were considerably more [[Social liberalism|liberal]] than his counterparts in the [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] nations.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}}

Zayed was one of the founders of the [[Dar Al-Maal Al-Islami Trust|Dar Al Maal Al Islami Trust]] which was initiated by [[House of Saud|Saudi royal]] [[Mohammed bin Faisal Al Saud]], [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia|King Faisal]]'s son, in 1981.<ref>{{cite book|author=Mohammed bin Faisal Al Saud|editor=Emmy Abdul Alim|title=Global Leaders in Islamic Finance: Industry Milestones and Reflections|year=2014|publisher=Wiley|location=Singapore|isbn=978-1-118-46524-0|page=56|chapter=The Well of Influence|doi=10.1002/9781118638804.ch3 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118638804.ch3}}</ref> After floods ravaged [[Yemen]]'s [[Ma'rib Governorate]] in 1982, Zayed financed the construction of the [[Marib Dam#Current Dam|current dam]] of [[Ma'rib]] in 1984.<ref name="KhaleejTimes2013">{{Cite news
|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130728/ARTICLE/307289891/1002|title=Key aid projects during Zayed's time |agency=WAM|date=29 July 2013|access-date=9 April 2018|publisher=Khaleej Times|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416070101/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130728/ARTICLE/307289891/1002 }}</ref><ref name="National2015Ma'ribDam">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-dam-that-sheikh-zayed-built-1.128295|title=The dam that Sheikh Zayed built|author1=M. Al-Qalisi|date=30 September 2015|access-date=9 April 2018|newspaper=The National|author2=J. Vela|archive-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410072202/https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-dam-that-sheikh-zayed-built-1.128295|url-status=live}}</ref> This was to replace the historical one that was damaged in antiquity, and support the country's agriculture and economy. The area of Ma'rib is reportedly from where his ancestors migrated to what is now the UAE.<ref name="Burrows2010">{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Yemen|editor=Robert D. Burrowes|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8108-5528-1|pages=234–319}}</ref>

==Zayed Centre==
{{main|Zayed Centre}}
Controversy over the opinions of the [[Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up|Zayed Centre]] caused the Harvard Divinity School to return Sheikh Zayed's $2.5 million gift to the institution in 2000 as "tainted money." Former United States president [[Jimmy Carter]] accepted the Zayed International Prize for the Environment in 2001. The award included a monetary prize of $500,000 from the Zayed Centre, and Carter stated in his acceptance speech that the award carried extra significance to him, since it was named after his personal friend.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/04/27/2008-04-27_to_see_jimmy_carters_true_allegiances_ju.html |title=To see Jimmy Carter's true allegiances, just follow the money |last=Greif |first=Lloyd |date=26 April 2008 |work=Daily News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708063611/http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/04/27/2008-04-27_to_see_jimmy_carters_true_allegiances_ju.html |archive-date=8 July 2009 |location=New York |url-status=live }}</ref>

There was similar controversy when the [[London School of Economics]] accepted a large donation by the Zayed Centre, to build a new lecture theatre in the New Academic Building in 2008.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/the-lses-jawdropping-16371m-structure-is-a-building-to-wow-students-1025412.html |title=The LSE's jaw-dropping £71m structure is a building to wow students |last=Hodges |first=Lucy |date=20 November 2008 |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328225648/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/the-lses-jawdropping-16371m-structure-is-a-building-to-wow-students-1025412.html |archive-date=28 March 2010 |location=London |url-status=live }}</ref> The gift was accepted with the Sheikh Zayed Theatre being the second largest lecture hall on the campus.

Harvard's equivocation, the Carter controversy, and the engendering negative publicity, prompted Sheikh Zayed to shut down the centre in August 2003, stating that the [[Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-Up|Zayed Centre]] "had engaged in a discourse that starkly contradicted the principles of interfaith tolerance."<ref name="Bost">{{Cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2003/08/31/harvard_must_give_back_tainted_money |title=Harvard must give back tainted money |last=Jacoby |first=Jeff |date=31 August 2003 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=30 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507120950/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2003/08/31/harvard_must_give_back_tainted_money/ |archive-date=7 May 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Death==
On 2 November 2004, Zayed died at the age of 86. He had been suffering from diabetes and kidney problems.<ref name="NYT"/> He was buried in the courtyard of the new [[Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque|Grand Mosque]] in Abu Dhabi. His eldest son, Sheikh [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]],<ref name="NYT"/><ref name=kill2005mar/> took an increasing role in government beginning in the 1980s. Directly after his father's death, he became the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and was ratified as the president of the United Arab Emirates by his fellow rulers in the Supreme Council.

==Memorials and legacy==
* [[Zayed University]], a government-sponsored higher education institution with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
* [[Shaikh Zayed University]], located in [[Khost]], southeastern Afghanistan. It was built with the aid of Sheikh Zayed.
* [[Sheikh Zayed City]] in [[Greater Cairo]], [[Giza]] Province, Egypt, built depending on a donation from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, on directions of Sheikh Zayed.<ref name="KhaleejTimes2013"/>
* The [[Zayed International Prize for the Environment]] and [[Zayed Future Energy Prize]] are named in his honour.
* The [[Kukës International Airport]] "Zayed-Flatrat e Veriut" in the northern city of Kukës, Albania, was named after him.
* [[Shaikh Zayed International Airport]] (Rahim Yar Khan) located in [[Rahim Yar Khan]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]], is named in his honor.
* [[Shaikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital]] located at Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan, was named in his honor.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jszmc.com/ojs/index.php/jszmc/about | title=About the Journal &#124; Journal of Sheikh Zayed Medical College (JSZMC) }}</ref>
* Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Mosque, also known as [[Stockholm Mosque]], in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]].
* The [[Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Solo|Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque]] in [[Surakarta]], [[Indonesia]].<ref name="KhaleejTimes 11-2022">{{cite news |author=Web Desk |title=Look: Stunning new mosque in Indonesia looks exactly like UAE's Sheikh Zayed Mosque: Sheikh Mohamed, Indonesian President Joko Widodo offer dua as they inaugurate the place of worship |newspaper=[[Khaleej Times]] |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/asia/look-stunning-new-mosque-in-indonesia-looks-exactly-like-uaes-sheikh-zayed-mosque |date=2022-11-14 |access-date=2024-02-21}}</ref><ref name="TheNational 11-2022">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |title=President Sheikh Mohamed attends inauguration of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Indonesia: Mosque is almost identical to the original in Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2022/11/14/president-sheikh-mohamed-attends-inauguration-of-sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-in-indonesia/ |date=2022-11-14 |access-date=2022-11-15}}</ref>
* A lecture theater was named in his honor at the [[London School of Economics]].<ref name=":2" />
* A Hafiz School in [[Gudermes]], [[Chechen Republic]], was named in the Sheikh's honor.
* The Sheikh Zayed Arab Falconry Heritage Wing at The World Center of Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho which was set up through a donation from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, son of Sheikh Zayed.
* The current dam in Ma'rib is also called "Zayed Dam".<ref name="National2015Ma'ribDam"/>
* Zayed Town, located in Central [[Bahrain]], was financed by Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and named in his honour. The first phase of this township project was inaugurated in 2001.<ref>[https://wam.ae/en/details/1395303146832 Sheikh Zayed: Landmarks and namesakes that commemorate a journey of giving] - Emirates News Agency </ref>
* A street in [[Montenegro]] was named for his memory in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Montenegro+names+a+street+after+UAE+Sheikh+Zaved.-a0341911655 |title=Montenegro names a street after UAE Sheikh Zayed |date=12 June 2013 |work=Balkan Business News |access-date=27 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205164804/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Shaikh Zayed Hospital for children and another for women in Larkana Sindh Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b35d9vs-erc-inaugurates-expansion-sheikh-zayed-hospital|title=ERC inaugurates expansion of Sheikh Zayed Hospital for Women in Sindh, Pakistan}}</ref>
* Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore Punjab Pakistan, [[Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex Lahore]].
* The 5th ring road in [[Kuwait]] is now named in honor of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-04-25 |title=Kuwait renames ring road after Shaikh Zayed |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-renames-ring-road-after-shaikh-zayed-1.1175139 |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
* The Sheikh Zayed Tower at the [[Johns Hopkins Hospital]] is named in his honor.
* Sheikh Zayed Hospital located at [[Vushtrri]], Kosovo, was named in his honor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-14 |title=Shaikh Zayed Hospital opens in Kosovo |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/shaikh-zayed-hospital-opens-in-kosovo-1.1945158 |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, [[Children's National Medical Center]], Washington, DC.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.childrensnational.org/research/szi | title=Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation &#124; Children's National Research and Innovation }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation - Product Pipeline Analysis, 2022 Update |url=https://www.marketresearch.com/GlobalData-v3648/Sheikh-Zayed-Institute-Pediatric-Surgical-33671548/ |website=www.marketresearch.com}}</ref>
* Sheikh Zayed Professorship of Cardiovascular Diseases at the [[Mayo Clinic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-10-21 |title=Zayed's generosity praised by staff of Mayo Clinic |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/zayeds-generosity-praised-by-staff-of-mayo-clinic-1.336171 |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Sheikh Zayed Children Welfare Centre, a centre for orphaned children located in Mombasa, Kenya.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sheikhzayed.co.ke/about/ | title=About }}</ref>

=== Year of Zayed ===
[[File:Emirates_(100th_A380)_(Year_of_Zayed_2018_Livery),_A6-EUV,_Airbus_A380-842_(28357897929).jpg|thumb|248x248px|An [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] [[Airbus A380]] 'Year of Zayed' Livery at [[Milan Malpensa Airport]], January 2018]]
On 6 August 2017, the ''[[Emirates News Agency]]'' reported that [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan]], [[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]] of the [[United Arab Emirates]] issued directives that declared 2018 to be the Year of Zayed in honor of his father, Sheikh Zayed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-08 |title=President Khalifa declares 2018 the "Year of Zayed", marking 100 years since the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed |url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302626080 |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=wam}}</ref> The declaration came during Zayed's 51st anniversary of assuming the leadership of [[Abu Dhabi]] in 1966, who became the ruler by replacing [[Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sheikh Shakbut]] and was aimed to commemorate centenary birth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=staff |first=The National |date=2017-08-05 |title=2018 declared 'Year of Zayed' |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2018-declared-year-of-zayed-1.617122 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref>

=== Founder's Memorial ===
{{Main|The Founder's Memorial}}  
In 2018, a [[Year of Zayed|year dedicated]] in the UAE to the celebration of Zayed's life and legacy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.zayed.ae/ |title=الصفحة الرئيسية |website=www.zayed.ae |language=ar |access-date=2018-11-04 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104211029/https://www.zayed.ae/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[the Founder's Memorial]] was opened in Abu Dhabi. The memorial consists of an open Heritage Garden and Sanctuary Garden at the centre of which is a cubic pavilion housing The Constellation, an artwork dedicated to Zayed's memory.

==Marriage and children==
Zayed bin Sultan married seven times and has 19 sons.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The UAE's new sheikh may jolt both succession and federation|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/05/26/the-uaes-new-sheikh-may-jolt-both-succession-and-federation|access-date=May 26, 2022|issn=0013-0613|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529050846/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2022/05/26/the-uaes-new-sheikh-may-jolt-both-succession-and-federation|url-status=live}}</ref> His children are as follows:
{{Children/top}}
{{Children
|name=[[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan=7 September 1948 – 13 May 2022
|notes= Former President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi<br />Spouse: Was married to [[Shamsa bint Suhail Al Mazrouei]] (b. 1950)
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Sultan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan= 1 December 1955 – 18 November 2019<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/general/sheikh-khalifas-brother-passes-away-3-day-mourning-in-uae |title=Sheikh Khalifa's brother passes away, 3-day mourning declared in UAE |date=2019-11-19 |work=[[Khaleej Times]] |access-date=2021-09-30 |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220115848/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/edge-signs-major-e1-billion-milestone-deal-with-angolan-navy?infinite=1&skip=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|notes=Former Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE
}}
{{Children
|name=Shamsa bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{Birth year and age|1960}}
|notes=Daughter of [[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]]
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|11 March 1961}}
|notes= Current President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, current Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces<br />
Spouse: {{marriage|[[Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan|Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan]]|1980}}
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|19 February 1963}}
|notes=Spouse: {{marriage|Sheikha Shamsa bint [[Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan]]|1988}}
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Hazza bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|2 June 1965}}
|notes=Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi <br />
Spouse: {{marriage|Mozah Bint Mohammed Bin Butti Al Hamed|1988}}
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan (national security advisor)|Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|4 December 1968}}
|notes=Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi<br />Skilled Jiu-Jitsu practitioner<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bjjee.com/articles/the-black-belt-sheikh-the-incredible-journey-of-tahnoon-the-godfather-of-jiu-jitsu/ |title=Bjj Eastern Europe – The Black Belt Sheikh: The Incredible Journey of Tahnoon the Godfather of Jiu-Jitsu |date=5 May 2016 |website=www.bjjee.com |language=English |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813100408/http://www.bjjee.com/articles/the-black-belt-sheikh-the-incredible-journey-of-tahnoon-the-godfather-of-jiu-jitsu/ |archive-date=13 August 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/29/ufc-to-uae-how-an-abu-dhabi-sheikh-made-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-a-national-sport |title=UFC to UAE: how an Abu Dhabi sheikh made Brazilian jiu-jitsu a national sport |last=Blum |first=Sam |date=29 August 2015 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914125535/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/29/ufc-to-uae-how-an-abu-dhabi-sheikh-made-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-a-national-sport |archive-date=14 September 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and son of [[Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi]]. He works in the banking sector.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/lists/people/pname/sheikh-tahnoon-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al/pid/13117/# |title=Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – The World's Richest Arabs|website=Forbes Middle East |language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209062647/http://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/lists/people/pname/sheikh-tahnoon-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al/pid/13117 |archive-date=9 December 2016 |access-date=5 March 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Spouses: {{marriage|Khawla bint Ahmed Al Suwaidi|1997}}<br />
Latifa bint Jamhour Al Qubaisi
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|20 November 1970}}
|notes=Vice President of United Arab Emirates <br /> 
Spouses: {{marriage|Alia bint Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed|1994}}<br />{{marriage|[[Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Manal bint Mohammed Al Maktoum]]|2 May 2005}}
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|30 April 1972}}
|notes=Spouse: {{marriage|Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif Al Nahyan|2002}}
}}
{{Children
|name=Al Yazia bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{Birth year and age|1968}}
|notes=Daughter of [[Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi]]
}}
{{Children
|name=Shamma bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{Birth year and age|1967}}
|notes=Daughter of [[Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi]]
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth year and age|1968}}
|notes=Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates <br /> Son of [[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]] <br /> spouse: Sheikha Asma bint Hamad Al Khaili 
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan= (1969–26 March 2010)|
|notes=Son of [[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]] <br /> 
Spouse: {{marriage|Sheikha Alyazia bint Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili|2003}}
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan={{Birth year and age|1971}}
|notes=Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court <br />
Spouse: {{marriage |Sheikha Fatima bint Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili | 2002}}
}}
{{Children
|name=Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{Birth year and age|1973}}
|notes=Son of [[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]]<br />second deputy president of Baniyas Sports Club<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=111408400&privcapId=109235778&previousCapId=109235778&previousTitle=Baniyas%20Sports%20Club |title=Stocks |website=Bloomberg.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811010942/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=111408400&privcapId=109235778&previousCapId=109235778&previousTitle=Baniyas%20Sports%20Club |archive-date=11 August 2016|access-date=10 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
Spouse: {{marriage|Ousha bint [[Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan]]|2013}}
}}
{{Children
|name=Afra bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1966}}
|notes=Daughter of [[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]]
}}
{{Children
|name=Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1977}}
|notes=Son of [[Mouza bint Suhail Al Khaili]] <br />
Spouse: {{marriage|Shamsa bint Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan |2009}}
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan= {{birth year and age|1966}}
|notes=Real estate developer <br /> 
Spouse: {{marriage|Sheikha Maryam bint [[Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan]]|1990}} ({{circa|1990s}})
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Nasser bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan= (1967–2 June 2008) |
|notes=Former chairman of the Abu Dhabi planning and economy department
}}
{{Children
|name=Rawdha bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1970}}
|notes=Daughter of Amnah bint Salah Al Darmaki
}}
{{Children
|name=Salama bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|notes=Daughter of Fatima bint Obaid Al Muhairi
}}
{{Children
|name=[[Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
|lifespan= 1965 – 27 July 2023
|notes=Spouse: {{marriage|Sheikha Sheikha bint [[Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan]]|1990}} ({{circa|1990s}})
}}
{{Children
|name=Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan<ref name=mepcmd/>
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1968}}
|notes=Son of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki <br />
Spouse: Maitha bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan
}}
{{Children
|name=Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan<ref name=mepcmd/>
|lifespan={{Birth-date and age|7 November 1970}}
|notes=Son of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki <br /> 
Spouses: {{plainlist|
* Al-Anood Al Remeithi
* {{marriage| Fatima bint Ghanim bin Faris Al Mazroui| 2007}} }}
}}
{{Children
|name=Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan<ref name=mepcmd>{{cite journal|author=Christopher M. Davidson|title=After Shaikh Zayed: the politics of succession in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates|journal=[[Middle East Policy]]|page=57|date=Spring 2006|volume=XIII
|issue=1|doi=10.1111/j.1475-4967.2006.00237.x|author-link=Christopher Davidson}}</ref>
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1971}}
|notes=Chairman of Al Wahda Football Club, former chairman of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority<ref>{{Citation |title=Executive Bio H.H. Sheikh Diab bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |url=https://dhow.com/biographies/52828557/theyab-zayed-sultan-aal-nahyan/ |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214114851/https://dhow.com/biographies/52828557/theyab-zayed-sultan-aal-nahyan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
{{Children
|name=Latifa bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1963}}
|notes=Daughter of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki
}}
{{Children
|name=Mouza bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1964}}
|notes=Daughter of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki
}}
{{Children
|name=Wadeema bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1969}}
|notes=Daughter of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki
}}
{{Children
|name=Sheikha bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1974}}
|notes=Daughter of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki
}}
{{Children
|name=Maitha bint Zayed Al Nahyan
|lifespan={{birth year and age|1976}}
|notes=Daughter of Ayesha bint Ali Al Darmaki
}}
{{Children/bottom}}

==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
|1= 1. '''Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan'''
|2= 2. [[Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan|Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed]], ruler
|3= 3. Sheikha Salma bint Butti Al Qubaisi
|4= 4. [[Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan|Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa]], ruler
|6= 6. Sheikh Butti Al Qubaisi
|8= 8. [[Khalifa bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan|Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakbut]], ruler
|12= 12. Khadim<ref name="Emirati National Archives">{{Cite book |chapter-url=http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf |title=Liwa Journal of the National Archives |last=Al-Dhahiri |first=Shamsa Hamad |date=December 2014 |publisher=Emirati National Archives |editor-last=El Reyes |editor-first=Dr. Abdulla |location=United Arab Emirates |pages=25–46 |language=en |chapter=Sheikh Hazza' Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1905-1958) Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in the Western Region |chapter-format=[[PDF]] |access-date=5 February 2017 |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103840/http://www.na.ae/en/Images/LIWA12.pdf }}</ref>{{rp|26}}
|16= 16. [[Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan|Sheikh Shakbut bin Dhiyab]], ruler
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|United Arab Emirates|Biography}}
* [[Champions of the Earth]], 2005 award by [[United Nations Environment Programme]]
{{clear right}}

==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}

=== Notes ===
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==External links==
*{{Commons-inline}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftQAZyfRvKc Farewell Arabia (1968) – Zayed and the Oil Industry in Abu Dhabi]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040401044619/http://www.sheikhzayed.com/ Sheikh Zayed's website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130801112238/http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/entity.jsp?entity=zayed_bin_sultan_al_nahyan_1 CooperativeResearch – Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan]
*[http://www.ourfatherzayed.ae/ Official UAE tribute to Sheikh Zayed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706064925/http://www.ourfatherzayed.ae/ |date=6 July 2011 }}
*[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/the-lses-jawdropping-16371m-structure-is-a-building-to-wow-students-1025412.html Sheikh Zayed lecture theatre, in the London School of Economics]

{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[Al Nahyan family|House of Al Nahyan]]||1918|2 November|2004}}
{{S-reg}}
{{Succession box
| before = [[Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan]]
| title  = [[List of rulers of separate Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|Ruler of Abu Dhabi]]
| years = 6 August 1966&nbsp;– 2 November 2004
| after = [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
}}
{{S-off}}
{{Succession box
| title  = [[President of the United Arab Emirates]]
| before = Post Created
| years= 2 December 1971&nbsp;– 2 November 2004
| after = [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]
}}
{{S-end}}

{{Rulers of Abu Dhabi}}
{{UAEPres}}
{{United Arab Emirates topics}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan}}
[[Category:1918 births]]
[[Category:2004 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Al Ain]]
[[Category:Presidents of the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Children of presidents of the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi]]
[[Category:Emirati billionaires]]
[[Category:House of Al Nahyan|Zayed Sultan]]
[[Category:Kidney transplant recipients]]
[[Category:20th-century Emirati people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Star of Romania]]
[[Category:Founders of the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:20th-century monarchs in the Middle East]]