Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (September 7, 1948 – May 13, 2022) served as the second president of the United Arab Emirates and as the ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 2004 until his passing in May 2022. He was the eldest son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's first president. As the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa took on presidential responsibilities from the late 1990s due to his father's health issues. He officially became the ruler of Abu Dhabi on November 2, 2004, and was elected president of the UAE by the Federal Supreme Council the following day. Under his leadership, Abu Dhabi witnessed the establishment of cultural and educational institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, New York University Abu Dhabi, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, along with the founding of Etihad Airways. Khalifa's presidency saw the UAE emerge as a regional economic powerhouse, with significant growth in its non-oil economy. He was known as a pro-Western modernizer who fostered closer ties with the United States and Israel, navigating the country through regional tensions with a low-key approach. During the global financial crisis of 2007–2008, he directed emergency bailout funds into Dubai. In recognition of his contributions, the Burj Dubai was renamed the Burj Khalifa on January 4, 2010. Khalifa's public appearances reduced after suffering a stroke in January 2014, with his half-brother, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, assuming greater responsibilities in state affairs. In 2018, Forbes listed Khalifa among the world's most powerful individuals. Following his demise, he was succeeded by his brother Mohamed.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan - Wikipedia