Dubai has become one of the world’s biggest hubs for business, luxury, real estate, and global entrepreneurship. As of 2025, the city is home to several billionaires whose wealth comes from diverse sectors such as technology, retail, real estate, construction, and education. Here is a detailed look at the top 10 richest people in Dubai in 2025 and how they built their fortunes.
Also read: Aastha Shah Biography
1. Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, is considered the richest individual living in Dubai. His massive fortune—estimated well over $15 billion—comes largely from the global success of the Telegram platform. Durov chose Dubai as his base due to its innovation-friendly environment, strong digital economy, and tax advantages. His investments also extend to technology infrastructure and secure communication systems.
2. Hussain Sajwani
Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties, is one of the most influential real estate tycoons in the Middle East. His net worth is estimated at around $10 billion. DAMAC is behind several iconic luxury developments across Dubai, shaping the skyline with premium hotels, residences, and golf-course projects in collaboration with global brands.
3. M. A. Yusuff Ali
Chairman of the LuLu Group, Yusuff Ali has built one of the world’s most successful retail and hypermarket chains. With a net worth of more than $6 billion, he operates large-scale supermarkets, logistics companies, and hotels across the Middle East and Asia. His contributions to Dubai’s retail landscape make him one of the most influential expatriate businessmen in the region.
4. Micky Jagtiani
The late founder of the Landmark Group, Micky Jagtiani, leaves behind a legacy that continues to thrive in 2025. His family manages a multi-billion dollar retail empire with popular brands in fashion, home goods, and lifestyle. His net worth remains extremely high, reflecting the continued expansion of Landmark stores across the region.
5. Sunny Varkey
Sunny Varkey is the visionary behind GEMS Education, one of the largest private school networks in the world. With an estimated wealth of around $4–5 billion, his contribution to the education sector is unmatched. His schools serve hundreds of thousands of students worldwide, and he remains a major force in global education reform initiatives.
6. Joy Alukkas
Founder of the Joyalukkas Group, Joy Alukkas has transformed the jewellery business across several continents. His net worth, over $4 billion, comes from an extensive network of jewellery showrooms offering high-end gold and diamond collections. He is known for setting industry standards in luxury jewellery retail.
7. Abdulla Al Futtaim
A key figure in the automotive, retail, and real estate sectors, Abdulla Al Futtaim heads the Al Futtaim Group, a diversified conglomerate representing world-famous brands in the UAE. His estimated wealth exceeds $4 billion. His influence extends from car dealerships to shopping malls and residential developments.
8. Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair
One of Dubai’s most respected businessmen, Abdulla Al Ghurair is the founder of Mashreq Bank, one of the oldest and most successful banks in the UAE. His net worth is estimated at more than $4 billion. He is also known for his strong contributions to the food industry, construction, and philanthropy—particularly in education.
9. B. R. Shetty
Though his financial journey has seen highs and lows, B. R. Shetty remains one of the well-known business magnates in Dubai. He built his wealth through healthcare companies, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. His net worth in 2025 sits in the billion-dollar range, reflecting his longstanding influence in the region.
10. Ravi Pillai
Ravi Pillai, founder of the RP Group, is a major construction and infrastructure leader across the Middle East. With a net worth above $4 billion, he has played a huge role in building large-scale projects in Dubai and other Gulf countries. His group also operates hotels, real estate ventures, and industrial units.
Conclusion
Dubai’s richest individuals come from remarkably diverse backgrounds—technology, real estate, retail, education, jewellery, and construction. Their collective success reflects Dubai’s evolution into a global powerhouse where innovation, luxury, and enterprise merge to create unprecedented opportunities.
