In 2010, Qatar won the bid to host the prestigious World Cup with a $220 billion investment in infrastructure. Led by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Thani family, comprising around 8,000 members, boasts a combined fortune of $335 billion. Their diverse income sources include extensive real estate holdings and stakes in global giants like Barclays Bank, British Airways, and Volkswagen.
Golden Palace and super-terrible real estate in London
The Qatari royal family lives in the Royal Palace complex in Doha, a magnificent gilded structure. This grand structure includes up to 15 smaller palaces, and a parking lot for more than 500 cars, with a construction cost of about 1 billion USD.
In 2019, the Emir constructed a white palace in Oman, using the same materials as the Royal Doha palace. Earlier in 2013, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, one of the former Emir’s wives, acquired three houses in London’s Cornwall Terrace for around $140 million. Her plan was to create a luxurious mega-villa with 17 bedrooms, 14 living rooms, a cinema, bar, and swimming pool.
Super yacht
The Qatari royal family possesses yachts akin to floating palaces on the sea, notably The Katara. This superyacht stands as one of the largest and costliest globally, valued at nearly $400 million. Spanning 124 meters, it boasts a helipad and multiple decks, capable of hosting 35 guests and 90 crew members.
Moreover, The Katara isn’t their sole vessel. In 2019, a blaze at a Doha shipyard decimated three Royal yachts, each worth tens of millions of dollars, as reported by Megayacht News.
Private airline
Beyond land, the Qatar Royal Family’s influence extends to the skies. In 1977, they established Qatar Amiri Flight, a private airline reserved solely for royal members and high-ranking government officials. As per Plane Spotters, this airline operates 14 aircraft, notably three massive Boeing 747-8s – Boeing’s priciest commercial jets, valued at over $400 million apiece.
One-of-a-kind supercar collection
The Qatar Royal Family boasts an extensive assortment of vehicles from the most prestigious brands globally. Notably, the Emir possesses a remarkable collection that includes esteemed models like Bugatti’s Divo, Veyron, and Chiron; a red LaFerrari Aperta coupe; white Lamborghini Centenario coupe and Centenario Roadster; a Mercedes AMG 6×6; and a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Football clubs around the world
The Qatari royal family showcases not only a penchant for opulence but also a fervor for sports. Hosting international events like the 2006 Asian Games, 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships, and the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup highlights their commitment to sports on a grand scale.
Football, in particular, holds a special place in their hearts. In 2004, the emir established Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), leading to the ownership of Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, a club boasting global stars like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe.
The family’s football ventures extend further, including a 21.7% stake in Portugal’s SC Braga. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani acquired Spanish club Málaga in 2010, and Khalid Faleh al Thani is reportedly eyeing an investment in Italian club Sampdoria.
