Who is Sheikh Jassim? How much is he worth and is he the new owner of Manchester United?

Who is Sheikh Jassim? How much is he worth and is he the new owner of Manchester United?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at June 20, 2023 at 9:17 AM

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani has made headlines following his bid to buy Manchester United. Jassim is a successful businessperson and the son of former Qatar prime minister Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Here is everything you need to know about the Qatar billionaire and his quest to purchase one of the best football clubs on earth.

Sheikh Jassim's age
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is a member of the Qatari royal family and one of the wealthiest people in Asia. Photo: @mutd360, @ManUtdBorn (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Sheikh Jassim's age is 44 (as of June 2023). He was born on 25 August 1978 in Doha, Qatar. He is one of the most famous members of the Qatari royal family. His Manchester United bid has also increased his popularity, with many interested in his background and family details.

Sheikh Jassim's profile and bio summary

Full name

Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Date of birth

25 August 1978

Age

44 (as of June 2023)

Place of birth

Doha, Qatar

Nationality

Qatari

Education

Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK

Parents

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned

Siblings

14

Spouse

Buthaina bint Hamad Al Thani

Children

Eight

Profession

Politician, businessman

Net worth

$1.2 billion

Is Sheikh Jassim part of the royal family?

Jassim is a member of the Qatari royal family. He is one of many children of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, one of the most powerful men in Qatar. Jassim is the third son of Sheikh Hamad and the firstborn of his second wife, Buthaina bint Hamad Al Thani.

Who is Sheikh Jassim's father?

Sheikh Jassim's father
Former Emir of Qatar, Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attends the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Round16 match between Argentina and Australia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Jean Catuffe
Source: Getty Images

Hamad bin Khalifa was born in January 1952 in Doha. He is one of the most iconic leaders and the architect of modern Qatar. Jassim's father served as prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar. He also held several positions in the state, including the Ministry of Defence.

He is also formerly the chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority. The company is linked to Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which bought Paris Saint-Germain in 2011. On 25 June 2013, Sheikh Hamad handed over the reins of leadership to his son and heir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad.

Sheikh Hamad's family

The former Qatari foreign minister has three wives. He married his first wife, Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al-Thani in 1977. His second wife is Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, and his third wife is Noora bint Khalid Al-Thani. He has over 15 children with his wives.

Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's siblings
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during a meeting with the President of Tajikistan, Imamali Rahman, at the Presidential Palace in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 8 June 2023. Photo: Presidency of Tajikistan
Source: Getty Images

Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's siblings include the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and Qatari Minister of the Interior Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Jassim's education

He schooled in Dorset before attending the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst alongside his brother Tamim bin Hamad, the emir of Qatar. Jassim graduated as an officer cadet. He then became the chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), one of the country's leading banks.

Sheikh Jassim's wife and children

Is Sheikh Jassim part of the royal family?
Jassim bin Hamad is a successful businessman, father, and husband. Photo: @xaeyy1, @QatarMUFC (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

The renowned businessman married Sheikha Bothaina bint Hamad Al Thani on 30 March 2006 at Al Wajbah Palace, Doha, Qatar. Bothaina is the daughter of Sheikh Hamad bin Ali Al Thani. Jassim and Bothaina bint Hamad have three sons and five daughters. Their children are: Moza, Fahad, Hind, Hamad, Tamim, Al-Mayassa, Dhai, and Ghand.

Man Utd's takeover, Sheikh Jassim vs Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Man Utd takeover, Sheikh Jassim
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani (L) and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe (R) compete to own Manchester United from the Glazer family. Photo: @mutd360, Peter Byrne (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the frontrunners in a bidding war to purchase the Red Devils. The two billionaires have submitted their offers to the Glazer family, which owns the club. They purchased Man United in 2006 for $1.4 billion.

Has Sheikh Jassim bought Manchester United?

Some Qatar sources reveal that the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank won the race to buy Manchester United. However, the club has not released an official report as of 20 June 2023.

Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, on 17 March 2023. He has bid to buy the club's owners, the Glazer family. Photo: Peter Byrne
Source: Getty Images

Ratcliffe is the chairman and CEO of petrochemical giant INEOS. The British billionaire ranked 67th in Forbes' list of wealthiest people on earth in 2023. The INEOS CEO submitted an offer to buy Glazer's 69 per cent share of United for around $6.41 billion.

Sheikh Jassim's Manchester United bid

How much is Sheikh Jassim's Man United bid? Sources reveal that the Qatari submitted a final proposal worth around $6.41 billion on 7 June 2023 for total control of Man United. The offer includes clearing the club's $1.28 billion debt and a fund solely for the club and the surrounding community.

He submitted his bid through a foundation called Nine Two Foundation, named after the club's legendary class of '92. The era produced iconic stars like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Garry Neville.

Is he a Man United supporter?

Has Sheikh Jassim bought Manchester United?
Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani (R) with a Manchester United shirt while attending a football match. Photo: @reddevilscorner8, Matt McNulty (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Qatar billionaire is a lifelong supporter of the club. He has reportedly attended several Man United games and even wore the Red Devils' shirts. Sheikha Bothaina's husband has also played recreational five-a-side matches in a United shirt.

How much is Sheikh Jassim worth?

The estimated Sheikh Jassim's net worth is $1.2 billion. He is one of the wealthiest and most respected people in Asia. Sheikh Jassim's family's net worth is around $353 billion.

Sheikh Jassim's Twitter

While Sheikh Jassim's photos continue making rounds across the internet, he does not have an official Twitter account or any other social media account to post his pictures. The father of eight has kept his life private and prefers to focus on his career.

Sheikh Jassim's passion for Man United has earned him a good reputation among the club's supporters. Some believe he is the best to return the club to its former glory. His competition with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to own the club is among football's most competitive team sales.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.