He was born in Doha and educated privately at the palace. In 1935, he was appointed as Heir Apparent by his father and served as Deputy Ruler on several times. Early on in his childhood, his father exposed him in to the life of a politician. He died early; he was expected to become the next emir, but he died when his father was alive. Later upon his death, his father passed the powers to his older son, Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani.