Qatar's former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniSheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74
Qatar's former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has diedFormer emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74Qatar's former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who raised Qatar’s global profile, dies at 74Qatar’s former leader Hamad bin Khalifa dies: StatementFormer emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, architect of modern QatarQatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passes away at 74Former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad, a moderniser who seized power, has diedFormer Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad, a modernizer who seized power, has diedKey moments from former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s life
Qatar's former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at age 74 on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Doha after seizing power in 1995 and transforming the tiny Gulf nation into a global diplomatic and media powerhouse.
His legacy includes breaking tradition to hand power to his son and championing Palestinian causes, which strained relations with Israel and its allies.
His death marks the end of a transformative era that elevated Qatar's standing in regional and international affairs.
- Sheikh Hamad arrived in Qatar with 90 tonnes of aid upon seizing power in 1995.
- Qatar hosted the 2006 Asian Games and the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference under his rule.
- Sheikh Hamad voluntarily turned over power to his son in 2013, breaking centuries of Qatari tradition.
