8 Jets, 3 Palaces And Now TikTok Stake: Can You Imagine Abu Dhabi Royals’ Billion-Dollar Life?

The royal family of Abu Dhabi is set to acquire a significant stake in TikTok’s US business under a deal reportedly brokered by American President Donald Trump. According to reports, MGX, a fund chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will secure a 15% stake and a board seat.

The involvement of the UAE royals adds a fresh twist to the already controversial TikTok deal, as questions remain over whether China will approve the agreement. The deal comes over a year after US lawmakers voted to ban TikTok unless sold, citing privacy and national security risks. However, the UAE’s entry as a major shareholder could spark debate, given Sheikh Tahnoon’s dual role as the UAE’s national security adviser.

The Fortunes Of Abu Dhabi’s Royal Family

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Abu Dhabi royals rank among the world’s richest families, with a fortune estimated at $323.9 billion. Headed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), the House of Nahyan controls six per cent of the world’s oil reserves.

The family also owns English football giant Manchester City and has invested in global companies ranging from Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

The royals’ wealth extends to lavish real estate holdings. Their presidential palace, Qaṣr Al-Waṭan, is valued at $475 million (Rs 4,214 crore). At 380,000 square meters, the palace is three times the size of the Pentagon and boasts a 37-meter-wide dome plus a chandelier with 350,000 crystals, reported the New York Post.

The family also owns overseas properties, including Château de Baillon near Paris. In London, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan — the late Abu Dhabi ruler — earned the nickname “landlord of London” for his vast property portfolio across prime districts.

From Bugatti Veyrons To Lamborghini Reventon: Collection Of Cars

The Nahyan family’s car collection is legendary, spread across museums in the UAE and Morocco. Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan al Nahyan alone owns 700 cars, according to Yahoo Finance. Sheikh Mansour’s fleet includes five Bugatti Veyrons, a Ferrari 599XX, a McLaren MC12, a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, and a Lamborghini Reventon. He also holds stakes in Ferrari and Daimler AG.

The royals’ presidential fleet consists of eight aircraft, including an Airbus A320-200 and three Boeing 787-9s. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s personal collection includes a $478 million Boeing 747 and a $176 million Boeing 787, outfitted with multiple cabins, entertainment suites, and even spas, as per Yahoo Finance.

Yachts, Museums, and Global Prestige

The royals own the world’s largest superyacht, Azzam, a 590-foot vessel that can host over 100 guests and features a golf room, pearl inlays, and a custom chandelier designed to remain silent even at sea. They also own Blue and Topaz (now A+), both ranking among the world’s top 10 largest yachts.

Their cultural investments include the Louvre Abu Dhabi — the first and only Louvre outside France. Opened in 2017, the museum houses treasures like a Bactrian princess sculpture (3000 BC), Paul Gauguin’s Breton Boys Wrestling, and Leonardo da Vinci’s La Belle Ferronnière.

TikTok’s USD 14 Billion Valuation And The US Mandate

TikTok US has been valued at $14 billion (approximately Rs 12,41,97 crore), according to The Guardian. On September 25, Trump signed an executive order approving the deal, emphasising that TikTok “will be majority-owned and controlled by United States persons and will no longer be controlled by any foreign adversary.”

Trump gave a 120-day window to finalise details. “We have American investors taking it over, running it [who are] highly sophisticated, including Larry Ellison [the Oracle founder],” Trump said.

Key Players Behind The Multibillion Dollar Deal

Larry Ellison’s Oracle, private equity group Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX together will hold around 45% of TikTok US. Chinese parent company ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake, while the remaining shares will be split among ByteDance investors and new shareholders, according to The Telegraph.

Trump also revealed the entry of big names like Michael Dell and Rupert Murdoch, although a full list of investors remains undisclosed. US Vice President JD Vance assured that complete details of the “blue-chip group of investors” will be shared in the coming days.

China’s position remains unclear, though Trump said he had “a good talk” with President Xi Jinping, who “gave us the go-ahead.”