H ussain Sajwani is a prominent Emirati self-made billionaire and the founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties, one of Dubai's largest and most high-profile real estate developers. He is often referred to as the "Donald Trump of Dubai" for his flamboyant marketing style and his focus on branded luxury properties. He started his career in the food services industry before making a major pivot into real estate.
He founded DAMAC in 2002 and has since built it into a major force in the Dubai property market, known for its luxury residential towers, hotels, and large-scale master-planned communities. He was a pioneer in developing branded real estate in the Middle East, with high-profile collaborations with global brands like Versace, Fendi, and even Donald Trump, with whom he has developed two golf courses in Dubai. He took his company public on the Dubai Financial Market but later took it private again. He is one of the most powerful and recognizable figures in the Dubai real estate scene.
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Hussain Sajwani is an Emirati businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties (DFM: DAMAC), one of the largest property development companies in the Middle East. Born in Dubai, UAE, in 1952, he was the eldest of five children; his father owned a shop at the local souk, exposing Sajwani to business from a young age.
Sajwani received a government scholarship and studied Industrial Engineering at the University of Washington, graduating in 1981. His career began in the finance department of Abu Dhabi Gas Industries (1981). His entrepreneurial journey began with a non-real estate venture: in 1983, he launched a catering venture (Global Logistics Services) that is still operational today.
Hussain Sajwani's strategic genius was his pivot to luxury real estate development in 2002 with the establishment of DAMAC Properties, capitalizing on Dubai's property boom. Under his leadership, DAMAC has delivered approximately 27,400 homes and has over 35,000 units under development. He launched the hospitality division, DAMAC Maison Hotels & Resorts, in 2011. The company successfully executed its IPO on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in 2015.
His structural contribution is tied to his high-profile collaborations with renowned luxury brands (Versace, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli) and his highly visible partnership with Donald Trump to build Trump International Golf Club Dubai—a move that secured his global recognition. Sajwani has faced legal challenges, including a 2006 conviction by an Egyptian court over corruption allegations in a land deal, highlighting the political risks of operating in high-growth emerging markets.
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Graduates in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington (Academic Achievement).
Launches a catering venture (Global Logistics Services) (Early Founding).
Establishes DAMAC Properties (Founding).
Convicted by an Egyptian court over corruption allegations in a land deal (Legal Controversy).
DAMAC Properties executes its successful IPO on the DFM (Financial Milestone).
Continues as Founder and Chairman, guiding the luxury real estate empire (Executive Oversight).
Hussain Sajwani's wealth is concentrated in his founding equity and continued executive leadership of the publicly traded real estate giant, DAMAC Properties (DFM: DAMAC).
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Hussain Sajwani's social impact is structural, stemming from DAMAC Properties' role in shaping Dubai's luxury skyline and contributing significantly to the city's economic diversification (tourism and real estate). The company provides thousands of stable construction and real estate jobs.
His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives. His career is a testament to the profitability of aggressive real estate development and leveraging global luxury brands for market distinction.
Hussain Sajwani maintains the highly professional, composed style of a Dubai executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects his blend of industrial engineering discipline and luxury business mastery.
Residing in Dubai, UAE, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to real estate development, luxury brand affiliation, and high-stakes corporate governance.
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This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:
All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.
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