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They were spotted walking through Manhattan together, and the internet took notice. H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, was pictured strolling through New York alongside Oscar-nominated actress and humanitarian Salma Hayek — an unexpected pairing that, on closer look, makes perfect sense.
Both women have spent years reshaping culture across the Middle East and beyond.
Sheikha Al Mayassa is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the region’s creative scene. As Chairperson of Qatar Museums, she has brought works by Gauguin, Cézanne and Rothko to Qatar, founded the Doha Film Institute, and co-chairs Fashion Trust Arabia, which champions emerging designers across the Arab world.
That work has made her a familiar face among fashion’s elite — from her collaborations with Naomi Campbell on the Emerge talent initiative, to honouring Miuccia Prada with a Lifetime Achievement Award, to a close friendship with Gisele Bündchen, who once said of her simply, “Everything she puts together is excellent.”
Hayek, meanwhile, brings her own deep connection to the region. Though born in Mexico, the actress carries proud Lebanese roots — her father’s family hails from the village of Baabdat.
She’s previously recalled her pride for being Lebanese, with her childhood shaped by Arabic food and the writings of Khalil Gibran. In particular, in 2015, she made an emotional pilgrimage to Baabdat with her father while promoting The Prophet, her cinematic love letter to that heritage.
Of the pair’s sighting in New York City, fans were quick to celebrate the pairing online.
“How beautiful is it when high status meets humility?” one wrote.
Another recalled meeting the Sheikha in London: “She is an amazing, humble person — her personality is rare.”
