He was the ruling Emir of Qatar from 1995 until 2013 when he abdicated the throne, handing power to his fourth son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who was born to his second spouse, Moza bint Nassir.

By 2013, it had invested over $100 billion around the world, most prominently in The Shard, Barclays Bank, Heathrow Airport, Harrods, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Volkswagen, Siemens, and Royal Dutch Shell.

[12] He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1971, and was then commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in Qatar's armed forces.

Hamad then engaged an American law firm to freeze his father's bank accounts abroad in order to deter a possible countercoup.

[19] In a break with the traditional role, his second wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned has been a visible advocate for education and children's causes.

[20][21] A sportsman[22] and an accomplished diver, Hamad has played an active role in promoting and developing athletics in Qatar.

[4] His activism has enhanced the country's involvement and performance in a number of international competitions, including: winning an Olympic medal in track and field; hosting a wide variety of international sporting events such as the 15th Asian Games, GCC, Asian and World Youth soccer championships; and initiating the Qatar Open Tennis Championship which has grown to become one of two premier tennis competitions in the Middle East.

At a 3 October 2001 press conference, Colin Powell tried to persuade Sheik Hamad to shut down Al Jazeera while the New York-based organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting commented that in those efforts, "Powell and other U.S. officials were reportedly upset by the channel re-airing old interviews with bin Laden and the inclusion of guests that are too critical of the United States on its programs.

The country would become the first in the Middle East to host the world's biggest sporting event, beating stiff competition from the United States and Australia.

[30] By 2010 liquefied natural gas production had reached 77 million tons, making Qatar the richest country in the world.

Eighteen years on, he has finished the job – Qatar has acquired the financial clout to command respect from neighboring countries and Western governments alike".

[47]Media sources claimed that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made a bid for Manchester United on 11 February 2011.

Since its opening, Qatar has become the world's biggest contemporary art buyer,[52] famously purchasing Cézanne's The Card Players in 2012 for over US$250 million.

[60] The Doha Film Institute is producing Salma Hayek's upcoming animated adaptation of Khalil Gibran's classic novel The Prophet, with Lion King director Roger Allers coordinating the process.

[64] In February 2013, they announced a $100 million feature film fund with Participant Media, a production company founded by billionaire Jeffrey Skoll, who was the first employee and also first president of internet auction firm eBay.

[66][67] In regards to the shift in power, Hamad said: "The time has come to open a new page in the journey of our nation that would have a new generation carry the responsibilities".

His fourth son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, from his second wife, Moza bint Nasser, is now the eighth and current Emir of Qatar.

[78][79] In October 2012, the Emir made a landmark visit to Gaza by being the first head of state to go there since the 2006 election of Hamas and the imposition of a blockade by Israel.

[82] In October 2012, Hamad made a historic visit to Gaza and pledged US$400 million in humanitarian aid to Hamas, to build infrastructure projects and hospitals.

have noted the Emir's visit to Gaza and meeting with Hamas, which houses a militant wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

[86] However, Qatar denies these allegations, stating that its policy is to help facilitate constructive engagement between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Hamad is listed as owner of Afrodille S.A., which had a bank account in Luxembourg and shares in two South African companies.