Shahzada Dawood facts for kids

Shahzada Dawood (Urdu: شہزادہ داؤد‎; 12 February 1975 – 18 June 2023) was a kind-hearted Pakistani businessman and a person who gave a lot to charity.

He was known for his work in business and for helping others through his family's foundation. Sadly, Shahzada Dawood, his 19-year-old son Suleman, and three other people died inside a special underwater vehicle called the Titan. This happened when the vehicle broke apart deep in the ocean during a trip to see the wreck of the Titanic.

Early Life and Education

Shahzada Dawood was born on 12 February 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He was the oldest son of Hussain Dawood, a well-known businessman. Shahzada had two sisters, Azmeh and Sabrina Dawood, and a brother, Abdul Samad Dawood.

His grandfather, Ahmed Dawood, was a very important businessman who started the family's main company, the Dawood Group. Shahzada went to Aitchison College in Lahore for his early schooling. He then studied law at Buckingham University. Later, he earned a master's degree in global textile marketing from Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University).

His Work and Achievements

Shahzada Dawood was a leader in the business world. He was the vice-chairman of the Engro Corporation and a director at the Dawood Hercules Corporation. These are big companies that work in different areas like food, energy, and chemicals.

He joined the board of Engro Corporation in 2003. He became the vice-chairman of Engro in 2021. Before that, he was the vice-chairman of Dawood Hercules Corporation. He was always looking for new ways for these companies to grow.

In 2012, the World Economic Forum recognized him as a Young Global Leader. This award goes to people under 40 who are making a difference in the world. Shahzada also spoke at the United Nations in 2020. He talked about the importance of women and girls in science.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Shahzada Dawood cared a lot about helping people. From 1996 until his death, he was a trustee of The Dawood Foundation (TDF). This family foundation mainly focuses on improving education.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, TDF helped a lot in Pakistan. They managed the Hussain Dawood Pledge, which was a large private donation to fight the virus. Shahzada was especially focused on helping people with their mental health during this difficult time.

He was also a trustee of the Engro Foundation. He was part of the Global Advisory Board for The Prince's Trust International, a charity started by Charles III (who is now King Charles). He was also a board member of the SETI Institute, which studies space.

His Family and Hobbies

Shahzada Dawood was married to Christine Dawood since 2002. Christine was born and grew up in Germany. They lived in Pakistan and Singapore before moving to the United Kingdom in 2014. They had two children together.

Shahzada became a citizen of Malta in 2016. He was very interested in nature and how we can get energy from natural sources. People described him as someone who loved taking photos, especially of wildlife. He enjoyed exploring different natural places.

The Titan Expedition and His Death

Shahzada Dawood and his family traveled from London to Canada for a month-long trip. Shahzada was very interested in the Titanic and had loved science and discovery for many years. He bought tickets for himself and his wife to go on the Titan submersible. The goal was to see the wreck of the Titanic deep in the ocean.

However, his wife gave her ticket to their 19-year-old son, Suleman. The dive started on the morning of 18 June 2023. It was supposed to take eight hours and go very deep, about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters). About an hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the Titan lost contact with its support ship, the MV Polar Prince.

Many countries, including the United States, Canada, and France, started a search and rescue mission. On 22 June 2023, the United States Coast Guard announced sad news. They found parts of the Titan about 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the Titanic wreck. This showed that the vehicle had broken apart completely. They concluded that everyone on board, including Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, had died instantly.