Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, Ruler Who Transformed Qatar, Dies at 74
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, the former emir who transformed Qatar into an influential nation, has died at age 74.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the former emir of Qatar who ruled from 1995 to 2013, has died at the age of 74. Under his leadership, the tiny Gulf nation developed immense natural gas wealth and cultivated influence far beyond its borders.
He oversaw Qatar's rise as one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), dramatically increasing the country's economic power and international standing. Hamad bin Khalifa also invested in education, media, and diplomacy, establishing Qatar as a regional mediator and a global player.
His death marks the end of an era, and he is remembered as a leader who transformed his nation.
