Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the United Arab Emirates’ founding father and first President. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the President of the United Arab Emirates from December 2, 1971, to November 2, 2004.

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Who took over after Sheikh Zayed?
After the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, he was succeeded by Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum served as the acting President of the United Arab Emirates for just two days and he was then succeeded by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, hence, making Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan the second president of UAE.

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Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan assumed office as the second president of UAE from November 3, 2004, till his death on May 13, 2022. Aside from being president, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan served as Ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 2, 2004, to May 13, 2022.