Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein of Jordan
Who was Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein of Jordan?
Olympic equestrian athlete who competed for Jordan in show jumping and served as president of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein of Jordan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein was born on May 3, 1974, in Amman, Jordan, the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Alia. She is the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan. Princess Haya was only three years old when her mother died in a helicopter crash in 1977, an event that deeply affected her early years. She received her education in England, attending Badminton School and Bryanston School before studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at St Hilda's College, University of Oxford, where she graduated with a degree.
A talented equestrian from a young age, Princess Haya represented Jordan in the show jumping event at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She was one of the few Arab women to compete in an Olympic Games and carried the Jordanian flag at the opening ceremony. She later served as President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) for two terms, where she focused on reforms in equestrian competition and animal welfare.
In 2004, Princess Haya married Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, becoming his second official wife. They have two children, Sheikha Jalila and Sheikh Zayed. During her time in Dubai, she was involved in humanitarian work, serving as a Messenger of Peace for the United Nations World Food Programme and participating in various charitable activities in the region.
In 2019, Princess Haya left Dubai with her two children, moving to the United Kingdom. She and Sheikh Mohammed later divorced, and their custody battle received significant international media coverage. On March 5, 2020, a British court found that Sheikh Mohammed had likely abducted two daughters from a previous relationship, Shamsa and Latifa, and had made threats against Princess Haya. In March 2022, the court awarded sole custody of Jalila and Zayed to Princess Haya, a significant ruling involving a leading figure in the Middle East.
Princess Haya has been recognized for her work in equestrian sports and humanitarian efforts. She received the Steiger Award, a top honor in the equestrian world, and was named an Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French government. She remains active in international equestrian circles and advocacy work related to humanitarian issues.
Before Fame
Princess Haya grew up in the Jordanian royal household in Amman after her mother, Queen Alia, passed away in 1977. Her father, King Hussein, was a key Arab leader in the twentieth century. Haya was raised amidst the political and cultural changes of a modernizing Hashemite monarchy. She developed a love for horses early on, a hobby that was supported by her family and became a significant part of her public identity.
Her education in England at Badminton School and Bryanston School introduced her to competitive equestrian events at a young age, while her time at Oxford University expanded her intellectual and political perspectives. By the late 1990s, when she was competing internationally in show jumping, she had become a skilled athlete ready to represent her country globally, which led to her selection for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Key Achievements
- Represented Jordan in show jumping at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, one of the first Arab women to compete at an Olympic Games
- Served two terms as President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), leading global governance of the sport
- Awarded the Steiger Award, among the highest honors in international equestrian sport
- Appointed Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French government
- Appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace for the World Food Programme
Did You Know?
- 01.Princess Haya carried the Jordanian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, making her one of the first Arab women to bear their country's flag at an Olympic Games.
- 02.Her mother, Queen Alia, after whom Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is named, died in a helicopter crash in 1977 when Haya was only three years old.
- 03.During her presidency of the FEI, Princess Haya introduced significant reforms to equestrian sport governance, including enhanced horse welfare protocols at international competitions.
- 04.She was appointed a United Nations Messenger of Peace for the World Food Programme, using her platform to advocate for food security in conflict-affected regions.
- 05.The High Court custody proceedings involving Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed produced publicly released judgments that were described by legal experts as unprecedented in their detailed findings against a reigning head of government.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Steiger Award | — | — |
| Officer of the Legion of Honour | — | — |