Hussain Sajwani

Hussain Sajwani is an Emirati billionaire businessman and the founder of DAMAC Properties, a leading luxury real estate development company based in Dubai.

Born in 1952 or 1953 in Dubai, he is the eldest of five children born to entrepreneurial parents. His father operated a modest shop at the local souk, which exposed Sajwani early to commerce and business. He initially received a government scholarship to attend medical college in Baghdad but later moved to the United States, where he earned a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Washington.

He began his career in 1981 working in the finance department at Abu Dhabi Gas Industries (GASCO), a subsidiary of ADNOC. Soon after, in 1982, he founded a catering business that served prominent clients including the U.S. military and major corporations in the Middle East and Africa.

This venture provided the foundation and capital for his future entrepreneurial pursuits. Recognizing Dubai's emerging potential in the 1990s, he began investing in land and property there. In 2002, he founded DAMAC Properties, which grew rapidly to become one of the Middle East's largest property developers, known for luxury residential, commercial, and leisure developments.

Under his leadership, DAMAC Properties launched many high-profile projects with partnerships involving global luxury brands such as Versace, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Tiger Woods, and Paramount Hotels & Resorts.

The company expanded internationally with developments in cities including London, Toronto, Miami, and the Maldives. He also ventured into hospitality and acquired the prestigious jeweler De Grisogono. Over time, his net worth has risen significantly, with Forbes ranking him among the richest Arabs with a net worth above $10 billion as of 2025.

Beyond business, he is involved in philanthropy through the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation, supporting education, youth empowerment, and community development. He remains a defining figure in Dubai's real estate landscape and an embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit propelling the UAE's global prominence.

He is also noted for his close business associations internationally, including with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he has announced significant investment projects in data center infrastructure. Hussain Sajwani is married and has four children, some of whom hold executive roles within DAMAC Group, continuing the family’s business legacy.