Leslie Massey
The Al Khalifa family, the ruling family of Bahrain, is worth billions of dollars. The current head of the family, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has a net worth of around $5 billion. The family owns a collection of multi-million-dollar luxury goods, including yachts, private jets, and a fleet of aircraft. They also have a history of receiving a significant portion of the nation's wealth, estimated at about a quarter of the country's revenue between 1925 and 1970. This wealth has allowed them to secure lucrative land deals, property investments, and monopolies, further adding to their fortune.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Net worth of the King of Bahrain | $5 billion |
| Name of the King of Bahrain | Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| Year Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain | 1999 |
| Year Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself King of Bahrain | 2002 |
| Number of wives of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | 2 |
| Number of children of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | 11 |
| Name of the yacht owned by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | Al Raya |
| Number of private jets owned by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | 2 |
| Percentage of government revenue derived from foreign rents from natural resource extraction | 50% |
| Percentage of national wealth accrued by the ruling family between 1926 and 1970 | 25% |
| Number of aircraft in the ruling family's fleet | 6 |
What You'll Learn
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's net worth
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, has an estimated net worth of around US$5 billion. He ascended to the throne on February 14, 2002, after ruling as the Emir of Bahrain from March 1999. The Al Khalifa royal family has governed Bahrain, officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain or Mamlakat al-Bahrayn, meaning "Kingdom of the Two Seas," since 1783.
King Hamad's net worth reflects his lavish lifestyle, which includes owning a large palace, the Al-Sakhir Palace, in Bahrain. This complex of palaces and residences is home to several members of the Bahrain Royal Family. In addition to his palace, King Hamad also owns two motor yachts, the CRN Alwaeli and the 110-meter Lurssen yacht Al Raya, and travels in a private Boeing 747 jet, with the registration A9C-HAK, which cost over US$100 million.
The King's wealth is not solely derived from his position as head of state but also from his family's holdings and investments. The Al Khalifa family owns a collection of multi-million-dollar luxury goods, including the yacht "Al Salamab," one of the world's largest by volume. Additionally, the family's aircraft fleet consists of six aircraft, including a Boeing 767-400ER valued at $250 million.
King Hamad has two wives, Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa and Sheia bint Hassan Al-Khrayyesh Al-Ajmi, and eleven children. He is known for his deep interest in preserving cultural heritage and his involvement in sports and hobbies, such as falconry, golf, fishing, tennis, and football. As the head of state, he established the Amiri stables for Arabian horses in 1977, which were registered with the World Arabian Horse Organization in 1978.
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The Al Khalifa family's luxury goods
The Al Khalifa family, the ruling family of the Kingdom of Bahrain, owns a collection of multi-million-dollar luxury goods. Their net worth is estimated to be around $5 billion.
The family has a penchant for extravagant purchases, including yachts, private jets, and luxury real estate. One of their most notable possessions is the yacht "Al Salamab," one of the world's largest by volume. This yacht, valued at $314 million, was gifted to the Crown Prince of Bahrain by Saudi Arabia.
The Al Khalifa family's aircraft fleet is equally impressive. It consists of six aircraft, including a Boeing Business Jet BBJ2, two Boeing 747-400s, a Boeing 767-400ER, a Gulfstream G-IV private jet, and a Bell 430 helicopter. The Boeing 767-400ER alone is valued at a staggering $250 million.
In addition to their yachts and aircraft, the family also resides in the opulent Al-Sakhir Palace, a large and complex structure in Bahrain. It is not just a palace but a complex of palaces and residences, housing more members of the extended royal family.
The Al Khalifa family's wealth and luxury goods are a stark contrast to the reality faced by many Bahrainis. It is estimated that 12.2% of the population lives on less than $5 per day, and the wealth disparity in the country is a significant source of social inequality.
The family's wealth has been accumulated over generations, with a history of receiving a significant portion of the nation's revenue. Between 1926 and 1970, the Al Khalifa family received about a quarter of Bahrain's wealth, often exceeding the budget for essential sectors like health, education, and public protection.
The family's fortune has allowed them to secure lucrative land deals, property investments, and monopolies, further solidifying their privileged position.
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The Al Khalifa family's aircraft fleet
The Boeing 747 with registration A9C-HMK was delivered in 2003. Both jets showcase the family's opulence and their appreciation for the finer things in life. The 'HAK' in the registration represents Hamad al-Khalifa, reflecting the family name.
The Al Khalifa family's interest in aviation is just one aspect of their extensive wealth. With a net worth estimated at around $2 billion, they own valuable assets such as yachts and have strong international connections, particularly with neighbouring Gulf nations. The family has ruled Bahrain since 1783, with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who ascended the throne in 2002, being the current head.
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The Al Khalifa family's political influence
The Al Khalifa family has been the ruling family of Bahrain since 1782. The family, which professes Sunni Islam, settled in Zubarah, Qatar, before conquering the Bahrain islands in 1782. The leader of the family, Shaykh Ahmad bin Khalifa, ruled the islands from Qatar until his death in 1796. His sons, Salman and Abdullah, then co-ruled Bahrain as feudal estates, with Salman ruling Bahrain Island and Abdullah ruling Muharraq Island.
In 1820, Abdullah and Salman co-signed a treaty with Britain that recognized the Al Khalifa as the legitimate rulers of Bahrain. After Salman's death, Abdullah acted as the sole ruler from 1834 to 1843. However, he was later ousted by Salman's grandson Muhammad, which sparked a quarter-century of fighting between the descendants of Salman and Abdullah. In 1869, British forces intervened and appointed Shaykh Isa bin Ali, a great-grandson of Salman, as the ruler of Bahrain.
In the early 20th century, as British officials attempted to exert more authority over Bahrain's internal affairs, the Al Khalifa rulers raised taxes on agricultural estates, leading to riots on the islands in 1923. This prompted Britain to exile Isa and replace him with his son, Hamad, who worked with British forces to restore order.
When Britain granted Bahrain independence in 1971, Shaykh Isa took the title of Amir and appointed his brother Khalifa as prime minister and his son Hamad as minister of defense. Other senior members of the Al Khalifa family headed key ministries, such as the interior, foreign affairs, and labor and social affairs.
In 1999, Hamad succeeded Isa and introduced political reforms to restore the regime's legitimacy. He transformed Bahrain into a constitutional, hereditary monarchy and repealed the 1974 Penal Code, among other changes. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became King of Bahrain in 2002, and he remains the head of state today.
As of 2010, roughly half of the serving cabinet ministers of Bahrain were members of the Al Khalifa family. The current prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is also from the Al Khalifa family and is the son of the current king. The king's other son, Nasser bin Hamad al-Khalifa, was recently appointed national security advisor.
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The Al Khalifa family's history
The Al Khalifa family is the ruling family of the Kingdom of Bahrain, having captured the Bahrain islands in 1782. The family is originally from Kuwait and belongs to the Anizah tribe.
The leader of the family, Shaykh Ahmad bin Khalifa, ruled the islands from Zubara, on the northwestern coast of Qatar, until his death in 1796. His sons, Salman and Abdulla, then shared the rulership, signing a treaty with Britain in 1820 that recognised the Al Khalifa as the legitimate rulers of Bahrain.
In 1869, British forces stepped in to end a quarter-century of fighting between descendants of Salman and Abdulla, appointing a great-grandson of Salman, Shaykh Isa bin Ali, as ruler. Bahrain became a British protectorate, and Isa bin Ali's position was confirmed by treaties in 1880 and 1892.
When Britain granted Bahrain independence in 1971, Shaykh Isa took the title of amir, and the Al Khalifa family continued to rule the country. Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa became prime minister, and his son, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was appointed minister of defence.
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa later became king in 2002, and his net worth is estimated to be around $5 billion. As of 2024, four out of 25 serving cabinet ministers of Bahrain were members of the Al Khalifa royal family, including the current prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is the son of the current king.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bahrain royal family, also known as the Al Khalifa family, is estimated to be worth around US$ 5 billion.
The Al Khalifa family's wealth primarily comes from oil royalties and foreign rents from natural resource extraction.
The family is known to own multi-million dollar luxury goods, including yachts, private jets, and a fleet of aircraft. They also have a large palace complex in Bahrain called the Al-Sakhir Palace.
Historically, the ruling family received about a quarter of the nation's wealth, with the amount given to the family being the largest item of recurrent expenditure. While the amount they receive today is likely less, it is no longer recorded on budget sheets and is not subject to scrutiny.
Yes, there have been concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability in the distribution of wealth in Bahrain. A significant disparity exists between the ruling family and the majority of the population, with estimates suggesting that 12.2% of Bahrainis live on less than $5 per day.
