Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died at 74, led Qatar from 1995 following a bloodless coup that displaced his father. During his 18-year reign before voluntary abdication in 2013, he fundamentally reshaped Qatar's economy by leveraging the nation's gas reserves through international partnerships and establishing major institutions including the Qatar Investment Authority, which expanded Qatari financial influence through global investments in enterprises ranging from luxury retail to professional sports.

While his tenure brought significant international prestige—including the 1996 founding of Al Jazeera and Qatar's successful 2022 World Cup bid in 2010—these accomplishments became sources of considerable controversy. The World Cup hosting drew criticism regarding corruption allegations in the selection process, the documented deaths of thousands of migrant workers involved in stadium construction, and concerns over Qatar's human rights practices and laws affecting LGBTQ+ individuals. International leaders, including King Charles and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offered condolences recognising his contribution to Qatar's development, while the country observed an extended period of national mourning.