2. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum $18 billion
Born 15 July 1949. He is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and constitutional monarch of Dubai. He is responsible for Dubai's growth into a global city, as well as the launch of a number of major enterprises including Emirates Airline, DP World and the Jumeirah Group, many of these are hold by Dubai Holding, the holding company with multi-diversified businesses and investments. He currently owns 99.67% of the company. He was involved in many in both philanthropy and controversy, from raising money to educate children in poor areas to being accused of encouraging the abduction of young boys to involve them in camel racing.