Quick Facts
Biography
Sheikha Nivin Saad Eldin Mohamed El-Gamal (Arabic: نيفين سعد الدين محمد الجمال; born October 1976) is an Egyptian model, socialite and interior designer. She is the first wife of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum chairman of The Emirates Group and Dubai World. She is mother to their only child Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. In 2012, she founded a charitable company in her son's name to fund research into the rare genetic disorder of Mannan-binding lectin deficiency, that he suffers from.
Early life and education
El-Gamal was born into one of Egypt's wealthiest families. She grew up in Mansoura, and graduated in 1999 from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University. She moved to London at the age of 24, to study interior design at the American InterContinental University. As a young woman she rebelled against her conservative father and grandfather, who both disapproved of her starting up her own business as a woman. They put pressure on El-Gamal instead to marry someone akin to their wealthy background and settle down as a housewife.
Career
After working for an interior design firm in Cairo, El-Gamal in 2006, set up her own businesses in London. She has designed interiors for celebrities, HNWIs and royalty including Kadem El Saher, and Mohammad bin Salman. She is a vocal proponent of women's rights in the Middle East, and identifies herself as a feminist.
Personal life
On January 11, 2007 Nivin El-Gamal married Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Lowndes Square, Knightsbridge. In April 2008, she gave brith to their only son Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Los Angeles, USA. Her husband in 2011, was reported to have a net worth of £19 billion ($31.7 billion), placing him first ahead of the King of Thailand on the list of royalty by net worth for that year. She lives with her son in London, United Kingdom.