Top 30 Richest People in Dubai

Dubai has come to be regarded as a global wealth-making place, hosting a rare amalgam of various strategic positions, visionary and risk-takers of decisions, and an upbeat economy. 

The tax-haven status and free repatriation of all revenues attract foreign investments, whereas a glorious placement facilitates businesses to operate in over 3 billion markets. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) offers interstitial assurance to the financial services domain, while the initiatives in AI, Web3, and data analytics foster the necessary innovation. 

The boom in the real estate sectors, courtesy of Expo 2020 advantages and sustainable development, is ripe with opportunities.

Here is a list of the top 30 richest people in Dubai.

1. Pavel Durov
2. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
3. Sunil Vaswani 
4. M.A Yusuffali
5. Joy Alukkas
6. Hussain Sajwani
7. Abdulla Bin Ahmad Al Ghurair
8. Sunny Varkey
9. Feroz Allana
10. Ravi Pillai
11. Abdulla Al Futtaim
12. Shamsheer Vayalil
13. Raghuvinder Kataria
14. Saket Burman
15. Philip Day
16. Divyank Turakhia
17. Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor
18. Abdulla Al Naboodah
19. Saeed Bin Butti Al Qebaisi
20. Azad Moopen
21. Micky Jagtiani
22. Saif Al Ghurair
23. B.R Shetty
24. Vinod Shantilal Shah Adani
25. Majid Al Futtaim
26. Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Ghurair
27. Thaksin Shinawatra
28. Abdullah Al Futtaim
29. Lubna Khalid Ali Qasimi
30. Bernard Arnault

Pavel Durov

Pavel Durov, who was born on 10th October 1984 in Russia, an IT entrepreneur, is a person known for founding Telegram. He moved the headquarters of Telegram to Dubai in 2017. He was ranked 120th on the billionaire's list of Forbes in 2023, with a personal worth of $15.5 billion as of 25th August 2024, and is one of the richest man in Dubai.

In February 2023, Arabian Business called him the most powerful entrepreneur in Dubai. Durov is a supporter of Internet freedom and uses his platform to speak against laws that impose restrictions. He has citizenship in Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, UAE, and France; since 2021. Durov has an impact around the world.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, and currently the UAE vice president and prime minister, was born on July 15, 1949. He became the ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006, following the death of his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum; the next day, he was appointed vice president of the UAE and approved as prime minister on February 11 and is one of the top 10 richest person in Dubai.

A billionaire deriving most of his fortune from real estate served mainly within the world of development. Given his blurred line of state and personal assets, his worth is said to be around $14 billion in 2025.

Sunil Vaswani 

Sunil Vaswani, who was born on July 11, 1963, in Jaipur, India, is one of the Nigerian billionaires of Indian origin. He is also the chairman of Stallion Group, a Dubai-based conglomerate with interests in roads, foods, steel, plastics, and petrochemicals. Stallion Group has grown under his leadership to include outlets in Asia, the United Arab Emirates, and Africa, as well as acting as a representative of international brands and industries such as rice milling and vehicle assembly. He lives in Emirates Hills in Dubai and is of dual nationality, holding both Nigerian and British citizenship. As of February 2025, Forbes estimated his worth at $7.48 billion.

M.A Yusuffali

M. A. Yusuff Ali, a businessman who was born on November 15, 1955, in Nattika, Kerala, is now an Indian billionaire and the chairman of Lulu Group International. He moved to Abu Dhabi in 1973 to turn his uncle's distribution business into a multinational empire: his Lulu Group has over 250 hypermarkets and most malls in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, making an annual turnover of $ 8.4 billion with the largest Indian diaspora workforce. 

He was the top Indian businessman in the Arab region according to Forbes Middle East in 2018. By 2025, his net worth will be calculated at about $6.4 billion.

Joy Alukkas

Joy Alukkas, born on September 4, 1956, in Thrissur, Kerala, is chairman of Joyalukkas Group, the largest jewel retail chain. Coming from a family background as a jeweler, he started the brand in the year 2001 and has expanded the brand to more than 160 showrooms in 11 countries. The Middle East remains a stronghold for the brand. His business prides itself before the court of customer service and quality production, while at the same time operating under Joyalukkas Exchange and Joyalukkas Lifestyle Developers. He is a great philanthropist involved in various social service initiatives. He stays in Dubai and keeps building new avenues. As of Feb 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $4.4 billion, thereby making possible checks on him as a key figure in the global jewelry market.

Hussain Sajwani

Hussain Sajwani, a UAE born back in 1952 or 1953, is the brains of DAMAC Properties, the largest luxury real estate developer across the Middle East. Joining Abu Dhabi Gas Industries in 1981 as a finance officer, Sajwani saw entrepreneurship by launching Global Logistics Services, a catering company, in 1983. He founded DAMAC Properties in 2002 and developed around 27,400 homes under it. According to estimates in August 2024, Sajwani's net worth is estimated at $5.1 billion. The company has formed partnerships with luxury brands such as Versace, Fendi, and Roberto Cavalli. In 2025, he and Donald Trump announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. data centers.

Abdulla Bin Ahmad Al Ghurair

Born in or around 1930, Abdulla bin Ahmad Al-Ghurair is an Emirati billionaire who is the founder of Mashreqbank. Although he resigned as chairman in October 2019, he continues to be a board member. He also founded Oman Insurance in 1975, re-branded as Sukoon in 2022, while his construction company was pivotal in the development of Dubai Metro and for the external cladding of Burj Khalifa. Forbes's real-time calculations on February 12, 2025, pegged his family's valuation at $4.7 billion, while some report it as $4.9 billion. He has diversified sources of income, with a net worth increment of $911.59 million as of 2023.

Sunny Varkey

Sunny Varkey, born April 9, 1957, in Kerala, India) is a Dubai-based entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of GEMS Education, the largest private K-12 school operator in the world. He was raised by teacher parents who moved to Dubai in 1959; after spending some time in banking, trading, and health care, he began to develop his family school. The formal establishment of GEMS Education was in 2000, offering varying curricula with a worldwide scope. He is also the chairman of the Varkey Group and has established the Varkey Foundation for improving education across the globe. As of February 2025, his estimated net worth is $4 billion.

Feroz Allana

Feroz Allana is a UAE businessman active since 1975, and he is one of the founders of the Allana Group; the IFFCO Group mammoth conglomerate based in the UAE professing business in consumer products the other. Under his stewardship, IFFCO burgeoned into 38 factories located in 37 countries, producing over $7 billion a year with a workforce of more than 12,500 employees; its products touch consumers in 101 countries across the world. His estimated net worth as of November 2024 is about $4.3 billion, making him one of the foremost business personalities in the UAE.

Ravi Pillai

B. Ravi Pillai was born in the year 1953 on the second day of September. An Indian businessman per se, now residing in Dubai, and the founder and chairman of RP Group, the transnational corporate giant that spans businesses from construction, hospitality, steel, and cement to oil and gas. He started up an engineering contracting firm in the Kerala state but later shifted to Saudi Arabia to make a home in 1978 after a labor strike.

There, he founded Nasser S. Al Hajri Corporation (NSH) which thereafter became the flagship of RP Group. As of 2023, Forbes calculated his net worth at $3.5 billion, pegging him as one of the top business personalities in the Middle East.

Abdulla Al Futtaim

Abdulla Al Futtaim is an Emirati billionaire businessman, investor, and philanthropist who owns Al-Futtaim Group, a diverse conglomerate engaged in automotive, retail, real estate, financial services, and healthcare. His businesses also include Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive distributor of Toyota, Lexus, and Hino in UAE, and the association with Al-Futtaim Trading, Real Estate and Retail arms. In 2000, the Al-Futtaim family separated business interests with Abdulla running the automotive and retail while his late cousin Majid Al Futtaim was given the property development area. Forbes assesses the billionaire's case to be worth $2.9 billion in February 2025.

Shamsheer Vayalil

Shamsheer Vayalil Parambath, a radiologist and businessman, was born on January 11, 1977. He is the founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, one of the leading healthcare providers in the Middle East. Through his family office, VPS Healthcare, he manages a wide-ranging investment portfolio that includes Burjeel Holdings, RPM, LifePharma, Lakeshore Hospital, Ziva, Keita, and Educare Institute. He is also the vice-chairman and Geschäftsführer of Amanat Holdings.

Vayalil began his career as a radiologist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. In 2007 he opened his first hospital, the LLH Hospital, in Abu Dhabi. In the following twelve years, his company VPS Healthcare would inaugurate 20 hospitals in three countries. Currently, there are over 23 medical centers run by VPS Healthcare, with almost 13,000 employees across the Middle East. Vayalil's net worth stands at $2.6 billion as of 2023 making him one of the richest man in Dubai.

Raghuvinder Kataria

Raghuvinder Kataria, a British billionaire businessman born in April 1949 in Jinja, Uganda, has a major interest in telecommunications and real estate. At 16, he moved to London, where he became a chartered accountant and began his career with International Computers Limited (ICL) before assuming the role of European treasurer. He set up Jasmine Telecom in Thailand, which merged with Bharti Enterprises, and received a load of money for a minority stake in Bharti Airtel for approximately $500 million. Apart from being chairperson of Kataria Holdings, based in Dubai, he manages investments focusing on infrastructure and financial services. Forbes reports a net worth of $2.1 billion in February 2025. 

Saket Burman

Saket Burman, the British billionaire businessman, was born in either 1976 or 1977; he is the vice-chairman of Dabur Ltd., a top-end consumer goods company. Upon the death of his father Sidharth Burman in 2015, he inherited a 12.4 percent stake in Dabur. After completing a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he rose to senior management positions in the company. He is also a director of Dabur International Ltd., based in Dubai. He leads an international life, having residences in Dubai, London, and Delhi. In 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $1.5 billion, mostly from his stake in Dabur.

Philip Day

Philip Day is a billionaire businessman from the United Kingdom, born in October 1965, who resides in Dubai and serves as the owner and chief executive officer of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which includes Peacocks and Bonmarché. He began his career at Coats Viyella and later became Joint Managing Director of Aquascutum. He joined The Edinburgh Woollen Mill in 2001 and led the buyout of that company in 2002. Under his management, the acquisitions of other companies such as Ponden Mill, Rosebys, and Jaeger were carried out by Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Known for turning around ailing retail chains, he bought Peacocks in 2012. Forbes estimates that his net worth is $1.2 billion as of February 2025.

Divyank Turakhia

Divyank Turakhia, one of the billionaires in Dubai was born on January 29, 1982. He is an entrepreneur and investor of Indian origin, working extensively in technology and advertising. At 18, he co-founded Directi with brother Bhavin, who later founded multiple successful ventures, including Media.net, sold in 2016 for $900 million—one of the largest-ever ad-tech deals. Dubbed one of the youngest billionaires, he loves learning, flying, and scuba diving and splits his time between Dubai, Los Angeles, London, and San Francisco. According to Forbes, he has a projected net worth of $1.8 billion as of February 2025, signifying his imprint on the tech sector as an innovative entrepreneur and vision-driven investor.

Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor

Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor, one of the billionaires in Dubai was born on September 30, 1968. He is Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Habtoor Group, one of the leading Emirati conglomerates involved in hospitality, automotive, real estate, and education. Son of the founder Khalaf Al Habtoor, Mohammed Khalaf received a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and played a crucial role in almost all major developments in Dubai, including Al Habtoor City and Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. Based out of Dubai, he deals with a myriad of activities involving all the different business ventures of the group as well as their philanthropic undertakings. Forbes estimates their worth at $1.5 billion as of February 2025, which underscores his influence within the UAE corporate landscape.

Abdulla Al Naboodah

Abdullah Al Naboodah is an eminent Emirati businessman and chairman of the Saied and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, a major Dubai-based conglomerate having diverse interests in realms including construction, real estate, automotive, and investment. Starting humbly as a management trainee in 1978, he grew and led the group through major developments and into involvement with big projects throughout the UAE. Besides his industrial ventures, he has made tremendous contributions to sports in the UAE, serving since 2010 as the chairman of Al Ahli Club and Al Ahli Football Company. Forbes estimates that in February 2025, he had a net worth of $1.5 billion and he is one of the richest men in Dubai.

Saeed Bin Butti Al Qebaisi

Saeed Bin Butti Al Qebaisi is a famous Emirati businessman and chairman of Centurion Investments, a private equity firm in Abu Dhabi. With a diverse range of interests spanning healthcare, money exchange, and retail, he has been director of the boards of NMC Health Plc and Tasameem Real Estate Co. LLC. His leadership has helped many sectors of growth in the UAE. Based out of Abu Dhabi, he constantly oversees his investments and businesses. Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.2 billion in February 2025, establishing him as a highly influential person on the Emirati business scene.

Azad Moopen

Azad Moopen, born on July 28, 1953, hails from Kalpakanchery, Kerala, India. He is a prominent healthcare entrepreneur and is behind Aster DM Healthcare. After being a medical lecturer, he traveled to Dubai in 1987 to establish Aster DM Healthcare, the country that now runs over 697 hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in seven countries. Through the Aster DM Foundation, Moopen is known for being dedicated to affordable and high-quality healthcare and various philanthropic initiatives. The Padma Shri Award was given to him in 2011 as a recognition of his accomplishments. As of February 2025, he has an estimated net worth of 1.1 billion USD, according to Forbes, and resides in Dubai.

Micky Jagtiani

Mukesh Wadhumal Jagtiani aka Micky Jagtiani is one of the top billionaire businessmen in Dubai. He was born in India and has an established UAE based business. He is the owner and chairman of Landmark Group, based in Dubai.

Micky Jagtiani is known for its remarkable Landmark retail stores. His business provides livelihood to more than 45000 people. There are more than 1000 stores of Landmark Group across the Middle East, Persian Gulf region and India.

Saif Al Ghurair

Saif Al Ghurair is the chairman and head of the largest manufacturing and real estate companies in the Emirate, The Al Ghurair Group.

He is known for his tremendous investments that always bring profitable results. He has received his prosperity and wealth by investing in Mashreq, which is known as the oldest private bank in the United Arab Emirates.

B.R Shetty

Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, one of the billionaires in Dubai is the founder, and acquirer of the United Arab Emirates companies accommodating Abu-Dhabi-based NMC Health, BRS Ventures, Neopharma, and Finablr. B.R. Shetty is an Indian-born businessman who is counted among the top businessmen in Dubai. Also, ranked as the 42nd richest person in 2020.

B.R. Shetty began his career with his interest in hospitals and hospitality. He then expanded into the financial services, advertising, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and retail business.

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Vinod Shantilal Shah Adani

The Indian businessman and head of Adani Group of Industries, Vinod Shantilal Shah Adani is the director of Trident Trade and Investment Private Ltd, Radiant Trade and Investment Private Ltd, Adani Power Pte Ltd, Venture Trade and Investment Private Ltd, Pride Trade and Investment Private Ltd, Adani Power (Overseas) Limited, Adani Global Limited, Adani Global FZE, Adani Enterprises Ltd, and Adani Bunkering Pte. Ltd.

Vinod Shantilal Shah Adani is the elder brother of Gautam Adani. Since 2016, the Adani Group has kept lowkey from the media reports because of the major issue of the offshore entities in the Panama Papers.

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Majid Al Futtaim

The richest-ranked person in Dubai, Majid Al Futtaim is the chairman of the Majid Al Futtaim Holding (MAF), the entertainment and retail conglomerate. It originated in 1992 and soon grew into one of the largest companies in the UAE. Today, it includes more than 120 stores around North Africa, the Central Asia region, and the Middle East.

Majid Al Futtaim Holdings' turnover is around US$8.8 billion in revenue and made a profit in 2017 of up to US$600 million. It owns the exclusive rights to manage the franchises of All Saints, Carrefour, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Lululemon Athletica.

Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Ghurair

Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Ghurair is the founder of one of the leading banks in the United Arab Emirates, Mashreqbank. His wealth can be easily estimated by the standard of the bank. He acts as the chairman meanwhile his son, Abdul Aziz holds the position of CEO.

Moreover, Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Ghurair holds many eponymous companies and mammoth corporations with an interest of real estate and food construction.

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Thaksin Shinawatra

Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman who is also a well-known politician and visiting professor. He served Thai in the Department of Thai Police for 14 years (1973-1987). Then he was elected as the Prime Minister of Thailand for 5 years (2001-2006). But, with the abundance of power, in 2008 he was found guilty of corruption. That's why now he is living in self-exile.

Thaksin Shinawatra is the founder of Advanced Info Service which is a mobile phone operator company and the Shin Corporation which is an IT and telecommunications alliance-based company. This made him on the list of the richest people in Thailand.

Abdullah Al Futtaim

The Emirati billionaire who is the fellow cousin of Majid Al Futtaim and owner of the Al-Futtaim Group, Abdullah Al Futtaim is counted as one of the richest men in Dubai.

Abdullah Al Futtaim owns the nationality of Emirati with a net worth of 2.1 US billion dollars. He specialized in the field of retail and real estate, and operations in the automotive industry. Abdullah Al Futtaim is the CEO of Al-Futtaim Private Company LLC.

Lubna Khalid Ali Qasimi

The Emirati Politician and member of the ruling family of Sharjah, Lubna Khalid Ali Qasimi is one of the most powerful women in the world. Previously, she has served as the Minister of State for Tolerance, Minister of Economics and Planning of the United Arab Emirates, and Minister of State for International Cooperation. Lubna Khalid Ali Qasimi is the first woman ever to serve as a minister in the United Arab Emirates.

She has graduated from the California State University, Chico with a bachelor's in Computer Science. She completed her Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah.

In the listing of 2017 by Forbes, Lubna Khalid Ali Qasimi is the 36th most popular woman in the world. She won the ITP Best Personal Achievement Award in 2000. Moreover, she was honored as the Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the year 2013.

Bernard Arnault

Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault, the French Billionaire businessman, investor and art collector, is the chief executive and chairman of LVMB Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton SE which is the largest luxury goods company around the world.

Bernard Arnault is counted among the top billionaires in the UAE. According to Forbes, Bernard Arnault is the wealthiest man in the world. His estimated net worth is around US$192 billion.

Conclusion

Dubai is one of the most popular cities in the world and one of the major cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city has one of the highest percentages of people with top-notch wealth. Most of the billionaires of Dubai are listed as the top billionaires of the world. Dubai is the largest city in the UAE which is known as the hub of business and culture. Dubai is the home to tons of famous and rich, wealthy people in the world.

Dubai is a very busy port thronging with billionaires. Businessmen and women from different professions like information technology, real estate, retail, and healthcare are paying a visit now and then to Dubai. Here is Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, 2025, who stood with a net worth of $15.5 billion. Wealth is derailed and sways with market changes. The durability of the structure good location and friendliness combined are the ones that made this city never parched for high network people. 

FAQs

Who is the richest person in Dubai?

Dubai billionaires own some of the most luxurious properties and businesses in the world. Pavel Durov is the richest man in the UAE and the youngest self-made billionaire in the region in 2021. He was named the richest UAE resident in 2021 by Forbes magazine with a wealth of $17.2 billion.

Who is the richest woman in Dubai?

Huda Kattan is known as the richest woman in Dubai. She is an American makeup artist, beauty blogger, and entrepreneur and is also the founder of the cosmetics line Huda Beauty.

Who is Dubai's richest kid?

Rashid Belhassa is the richest kid in Dubai.

Who are the top 10 richest people in Dubai?

Here are the top 10 richest people in Dubai:

• Sunny Varkey
• Micket Jagtiani
• M.A Yusuff Ali
• Modhammed Khalaf Al Habtoo
• Saif Al Ghurair
• B.R Shetty
• Shamsheer Vayalil
• Saket Burman
• Philip Day
• Divyan Turakhia

What are the best businesses in Dubai for Indians?

Some of the best businesses in Dubai for Indians are associated with:

• E-Commerce
• Healthcare
• Construction
• Beauty
• Travel and Tourism
• Real Estate Agency
• Handyman Business
• Consultancy Service

Is Dubai the richest city in the world?

Dubai is one of the richest cities in the world, however, Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE is the richest city in the world.