Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was born on September 29, 1983 in Doha, Qatar. She is the daughter of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. She has two brothers, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Al Mayassa grew up in the royal family, surrounded by wealth and privilege, but she was determined to make a name for herself in the world of art and culture.
Al Mayassa attended Duke University in the United States, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Literature in 2005. Her time at Duke allowed her to explore her passion for the arts and to expand her knowledge of global politics and culture. It was during her time at university that she began to develop her interest in art collecting and curation.
After completing her education, Al Mayassa returned to Qatar and began to make a name for herself in the world of art and culture. In 2010, she founded Qatar Museums, an organization dedicated to promoting art and culture in Qatar and around the world. She also established the Doha Film Institute, which seeks to support and develop the film industry in Qatar.
As an art collector, Al Mayassa has acquired works by some of the most renowned artists in the world, including Paul Gauguin, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and many others. Her collection is considered to be one of the most impressive in the world, and she has been instrumental in bringing many high-profile art exhibitions to Qatar.
In 2006, Al Mayassa married Sheikh Jassim bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, with whom she has three sons and one daughter. Despite her busy schedule and demanding career, Al Mayassa is dedicated to her family and is actively involved in her children's lives. She strives to instill in them a love of art and culture, much like the passions that drive her own life.
Al Mayassa's work in promoting art and culture has not gone unnoticed. In 2012, she was featured in Forbes Magazine's list of the Most Powerful Women. Her influence in the art world is vast, and she continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions in her quest to bring art and culture to the forefront in Qatar and beyond.
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