Career

In 1929, he was briefly deposed and succeeded by Sheikh Mani bin Rashid, a distant relative. He was restored three days later and reigned until his death in 1958. Although Dubai and other surrounding areas fell under an economic depression in the 1920s due to its great reliance on pearling, he managed, with the help of a progressive trade policy, to raise Dubai's economics and limit the reliance on pearling.

Saeed bin Maktoum was the son of another historical ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher, who ruled from 1894 to 1906. Saeed is one of three brothers, the two other ones constituting important lineages in today's Dubai ruling class : Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, born 1891, who had a large descendency that constitutes still today an important and powerful group in the ruling class of Dubai. Sheikh Juma's granddaughter Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum is today Dubai's first lady, as first wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, who also has a few descendents who are important businessmen in Dubai today.