The late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the eldest son of the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the second president of the country. He was elected on Nov. 3, 2004 as President of the Gulf state that was founded on Dec. 2, 1971.
His mother is Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He was born on Sept. 7, 1948 in Al Muwaiji Castle in the city of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He lived with his family in the castle, and received his school education at the Al-Nahyaniya School established by Sheikh Zayed. He spent most of his childhood in the oases of Al Ain and Al Buraimi, along with his father, who ruled the Al Ain region at that time.
