Qatar Princess Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani's academic voyage, from royal roots to global classrooms

Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The sister of Qatar's ruling Emir, who is in her 40s, has already been listed as the most influential person in art on Art+Auction's top-10 list and ArtReview's Power 100, and has appeared on the Time 100, and Forbes' The World's 100 Most Powerful Women.

Al-Mayassa, who serves as Chairperson of Qatar Museums , was also listed in the 'Top 100 most powerful Arabs' from 2014 to 2017 and 2021 by Gulf Business. As reported by Bloomberg, her annual acquisition budget on behalf of the organization is estimated at $1 billion.


Who is Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani?

Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is the daughter of the country's former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his second wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned.


Al-Mayassa’s educational journey:

Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani has a decorated international academic journey. She received a B.A. in Political Science and Literature from Duke University in 2005, then pursued postgraduate studies in Public Administration at Columbia University. She also studied at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne and the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). Her education and subsequent career choices have shaped her into a significant voice in the global art world, particularly within Qatar.


Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Early education: Sheikha Al-Mayassa began her education at Duke University, graduating in 2005 with a B.A. in Political Science and Literature.

Postgraduate studies: Following her undergraduate studies, she enrolled in Columbia University to pursue postgraduate studies in Public Administration.

Parisian studies: During the 2003-2004 academic year, she also studied at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne and the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po).


Al-Mayassa’s career so far:

Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani has a significant career focused on arts and culture and she is quite a well-known name in the industry. As the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, she oversees the acquisition of major art pieces and the development of cultural initiatives. She is also known for her philanthropic work and for founding the Doha Film Institute , which supports independent filmmakers in the region.


Key aspects of her career:

Chairperson of Qatar Museums: Sheikha Al-Mayassa is the driving force behind Qatar's growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, and cultural initiatives.

Art acquisitions : Her annual acquisition budget for Qatar Museums is estimated at $1 billion, and she has overseen the purchase of notable works by artists like Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, and Mark Rothko.

Doha Film Institute: She founded the Doha Film Institute, which supports independent filmmakers in the region through the Ajyal Film Festival and other programs.

Philanthropy: She is involved in various philanthropic activities, contributing to the development of art, culture, and education in Qatar.


With her all-encompassing educational background and an upward graph in career, Al-Mayassa has been recognized as one of the most influential people in the art world, appearing on various lists and publications. Her work has solidified her as one of the most influential women in the art world of the 21st century.