1. Overview
Shahzada Dawood (شہزادہ داؤدShahzada DawoodUrdu; 12 February 1975 - 18 June 2023) was a prominent Pakistani businessman and philanthropist. He was known for his significant roles as Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation and director of Dawood Hercules Corporation, as well as his extensive philanthropic efforts through The Dawood Foundation and Engro Foundation. Dawood, along with his 19-year-old son, Suleman, and three other individuals, tragically died when the submersible Titan imploded during a tourist expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic.
2. Early life and family
Shahzada Dawood was born on 12 February 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He was the eldest son of Hussain Dawood, a notable figure in Pakistani business. His siblings included his sisters Azmeh Dawood and Sabrina Dawood, the latter recognized for her philanthropic work, and his brother Abdul Samad Dawood. The family's business legacy was established by their paternal grandfather, Ahmed Dawood, a distinguished Memon industrialist who founded the Dawood Group. Dawood received his early education at Aitchison College in Lahore.
3. Education
Dawood pursued higher education, earning a LLB degree from Buckingham University. He furthered his studies by obtaining a MSc in global textile marketing from Philadelphia University, which is now known as Thomas Jefferson University.
4. Career
Shahzada Dawood held significant leadership positions in the corporate sector. He served as the vice-chairman of the Engro Corporation and was also a director of the Dawood Hercules Corporation. He had been a member of the board of the Engro Corporation since 2003, eventually becoming its vice-chairman in October 2021. Prior to this, he had held the position of vice-chairman at the Dawood Hercules Corporation. Throughout his career, Dawood actively pursued growth opportunities through mergers and acquisitions across various public-listed companies, focusing on sectors such as textiles, fertilizers, foods, and energy.
5. Social activities and recognition
Beyond his corporate roles, Shahzada Dawood was actively engaged in broader social and international initiatives. In 2012, he was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, an acknowledgment of his leadership and potential to contribute to global affairs. Dawood also delivered a speech at the United Nations in 2020, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, highlighting his involvement in advocating for scientific advancement and gender equality.
6. Philanthropy
Shahzada Dawood was deeply committed to philanthropy, particularly in the fields of education and social welfare. From 1996 until his death in 2023, he served as a trustee of The Dawood Foundation (TDF), a family-established organization primarily focused on promoting education. TDF was instrumental in coordinating the Hussain Dawood Pledge, a substantial private donation aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Dawood specifically focused his efforts on providing mental health support to individuals affected by the pandemic in Pakistan.
He was also a trustee of the Engro Foundation, further extending his philanthropic reach. Additionally, Dawood was a member of the Global Advisory Board for Prince's Trust International, a charity founded by Charles III, demonstrating his commitment to youth development and community support on an international scale. He also served as a board member of the SETI Institute, reflecting his interest in scientific research and exploration.
7. Personal life
Shahzada Dawood was married to Christine Dawood-Meckel, who was born and raised in Germany. They married in 2002 and had two children: a son named Suleman, born in 2004, and a daughter named Alina, born in 2006. The family resided in Pakistan and Singapore before settling in the United Kingdom in 2014. In 2016, Dawood acquired Maltese citizenship through an Individual Investor Programme, in addition to his Pakistani and British citizenships.
Dawood had diverse personal interests, including a keen interest in investigating natural habitats and renewable energies. He was described as a "photography enthusiast," with a particular passion for wildlife photography and exploring various natural environments.
8. Titan submersible incident and death
Shahzada Dawood, along with his son Suleman, embarked on a journey from their home in London to Canada for a month-long stay, leading up to their ill-fated expedition. Dawood, a long-time enthusiast of the Titanic with a profound passion for science and discovery, had booked tickets for himself and his wife for the Titan submersible expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic over Father's Day weekend. However, his wife later gave her ticket to their 19-year-old son, Suleman.
The dive commenced on the morning of 18 June 2023, with an expected duration of eight hours and a planned descent to a depth of 12.50 K ft. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the descent, the Titan lost contact with its surface support ship, the MV Polar Prince. A large-scale international search and rescue operation was launched, involving water and air support from the United States, Canada, and France.
On 22 June 2023, the United States Coast Guard confirmed the discovery of debris approximately 1640 ft (500 m) from the bow of the Titanic. This debris was determined to be consistent with a catastrophic loss of the submersible's pressure chamber, indicating an implosion. Consequently, all five individuals aboard the Titan - Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush - were concluded to have died instantly.