Whether it’s the determination she exudes while riding a horse galloping across the UAE desert or her dedication when she conquers Europe’s mountains, one bicycle ride at a time, Her Highness Sheikha Madiya Bint Hasher Bin Manaa Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai’s Ruling Family and a polished sportswoman, is an inspiration to women in the region, as well as across the globe.
Like many GCC royals, the Emirati seems to keep a low profile, occasionally sharing glimpses of her life on social media with her over 18,000 followers on Instagram. Doing a little bit of digging, GRAZIA brings you five facts you need to know about her for your daily dose of motivation.
She’s A Professional Cyclist
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When you think of personalities representing the UAE in international forums or those spearheading the participation of women in the country’s sports realm, Sheikha Madiya is a name that immediately comes to mind. She is an accomplished cyclist, having participated in the Nad Al Sheba Cycling Championship as well as Al Salam Championships, amongst several other competitions. She’s also an active member of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club.
She’s an avid Equestrian
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The notable equestrian, who has participated in endurance races across the world, has a special place in her heart for horses. Like many of the royals in the region, Sheikh Madiya was introduced to horses at a young age and she has been endurance riding ever since and professionally took up the activity.
She’s A Photography Enthusiast
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If you take one look at her Instagram page, you will not be able to miss her love for photography. It seems like she’s particularly fond of capturing animals, natural landscapes from all her travels, and the towering skyscrapers of Dubai – her hometown. While regularly posting her work, she also shares which device she’s using to click her pictures each time and has gained a significant following of other photographers.
She Likes To Travel
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When she is not busy with her official duties and sports competitions, Her Highness seems to travel during her breaks. From the green mountains of Cape Town, South Africa to the lush valleys of Valais, Switzerland, Sheikha Madiya makes sure to virtually take her social media followers along her expeditions.
She’s An Animal Lover
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With the clips she shared of her little dog Foxy and her love of capturing the flamingos that flock to Dubai’s Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in the winter, it’s safe to say that Sheikha Madiya has an affinity towards animals. She often visits Al Qudra lake to bird watch as well.
