Tag: Shamsa

  • Dubai’s runaway princesses

    Dubai’s runaway princesses

    Dubai may have a reputation as an ultramodern place with an indoor ski hill, the tallest building in the world, and beautiful beaches, but for years the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, has been accused of abusing women — including his own daughters.

  • The Sheika Kept Prisoner (with Heidi Blake)

    The Sheika Kept Prisoner (with Heidi Blake)

    In 2018, Sheika Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, the daughter of the ruler of Dubai, attempted a daring escape to international waters, away from what she characterized as a dangerous and oppressive life among her family. She was captured and brought back to the United Arab Emirates, and though there have been public statements saying…

  • Dark Dubai: Sheiks, Escapes and Runaway Princesses

    Dark Dubai: Sheiks, Escapes and Runaway Princesses

    When the Sheik of Dubai’s daughters tried to escape their father, world powers turned a blind eye. But investigative reporter Heidi Blake was determined to document their plight. Writing for the New Yorker last year, Heidi unraveled the disturbing story of Emirati princesses Latifa and Shamsa, and how Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum crushed…

  • The Dubai princesses who risked it all to run away

    The Dubai princesses who risked it all to run away

    Sheikha Latifa was born into incredible privilege as the daughter of the leader of Dubai, but she and her sister risked everything to escape years of alleged abuse at the hands of their father. Heidi Blake explores the story in her new podcast The Runaway Princesses.

  • “The Runaway Princesses,” a New Yorker Podcast, Exposes the Plight of Dubai’s Royal Women

    “The Runaway Princesses,” a New Yorker Podcast, Exposes the Plight of Dubai’s Royal Women

    A four-episode narrative series, from In the Dark, examines why the daughters of the emirate’s ruler have risked their lives to run away.

  • Longform Podcast #540: Heidi Blake

    Longform Podcast #540: Heidi Blake

    Heidi Blake is a writer for The New Yorker and the author of two books. She discusses her latest article, “The Fugitive Princess of Dubai,” with Evan Ratliff on this episode.

  • The Fugitive Princesses of Dubai

    The Fugitive Princesses of Dubai

    As the emirate’s ruler espoused gender equality, four royal women staked their lives on escaping his control.

  • Sheikh Mohammed: ‘Abusive’ Dubai ruler loses responsibility for children

    Sheikh Mohammed: ‘Abusive’ Dubai ruler loses responsibility for children

    Dubai’s ruler has been denied legal responsibility for two of his children who live in fear of abduction in Britain because of his “remorseless and unremitting” domestic abuse. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, 72, a member of the Queen’s racing circle, was condemned by a senior British judge for his behaviour towards the youngest of…

  • Dubai’s Princess Haya wins record £554m divorce settlement

    Dubai’s Princess Haya wins record £554m divorce settlement

    The ruler of Dubai has been ordered to pay his youngest wife and their two children a record £554 million settlement after a bitter divorce. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, 72, was found to pose a serious security risk to his former wife Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, 47, the sister of King Abdullah II of…

  • The Real Housewives comes to Dubai

    The Real Housewives comes to Dubai

    The blingy TV franchise is coming to the emirate with a reputation for extreme luxury. It might be an awkward marriage. “Life is different in a gated community.” In the 15 years since The Real Housewives of Orange County first buttonholed its loyal, tinsel-hungry audience with this magnificently F Scott Fitzgeraldian opening line, the Real Housewives reality TV franchise…