Shahzada Dawood

Shahzada Dawood
Born	(1975-02-12) February 12, 1975 Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Died	June 18, 2023(2023-06-18) (aged 48)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, humanitarian
Known for	Vice-chairman of Engro Corporation, trustee of The Dawood Foundation

Shahzada Dawood (; 12 February 1975 – 18 June 2023) was a prominent Pakistani entrepreneur and humanitarian.

Tragically, Dawood, along with his 19-year-old son Suleman and three additional individuals, lost their lives when the submersible Titan catastrophically failed during a tourist dive to observe the Titanic wreck.

Early life

Shahzada Dawood was born on 12 February 1975 in Rawalpindi. He was the eldest child of Hussain Dawood. His siblings included Azmeh Dawood, his sister and philanthropist Sabrina Dawood, as well as his brother Abdul Samad Dawood.

The family's industrial legacy began with their paternal grandfather, Ahmed Dawood, who established the Dawood Group, a leading business conglomerate. Shahzada completed his schooling at Aitchison College, Lahore, then pursued an LLB degree from Buckingham University followed by an MSc in global textile marketing from Philadelphia University, now known as Thomas Jefferson University.

Career

Dawood held the position of vice-chairman at Engro Corporation and was also a board member at Dawood Hercules Corporation. He joined Engro’s board in 2003 and ascended to vice-chairman in October 2021, having previously served in the same capacity at Dawood Hercules. His leadership emphasized expansion through strategic mergers and acquisitions within publicly traded companies spanning textiles, fertilizers, food products, and energy sectors.

In recognition of his influence, Dawood was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2012. Additionally, he delivered remarks at the United Nations during the 2020 observance of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Philanthropy

Between 1996 and 2023, Dawood acted as a trustee for The Dawood Foundation (TDF), which prioritizes educational initiatives. The foundation played a key role in facilitating the Hussain Dawood Pledge, a private sector contribution aimed at addressing the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan. During the pandemic, he was notably engaged in promoting mental health programs.

Moreover, Dawood was a trustee of the Engro Foundation, participated on the Global Advisory Board of Prince's Trust International, an organization established by Charles III, and served on the board of directors for the SETI Institute.

Personal life

In 2002, Shahzada Dawood wed Christine Dawood Meckel (born 1975), who hails from Germany. After residing in Pakistan and Singapore, the couple made the United Kingdom their home in 2014. They were parents to two children: a son named Suleman (2004–2023) and a daughter, Alina (born 2006).

Dawood obtained Maltese citizenship in 2016, reportedly through participation in an Individual Investor Programme.

According to media sources, Dawood had a keen interest in natural ecosystems and renewable energy initiatives. Additionally, he was passionate about photography, with a special focus on wildlife photography and exploring various natural landscapes.

Titan expedition and death

The Dawood family traveled from London to Canada for a month-long visit. An avid admirer of the Titanic and a lifelong enthusiast of science and exploration, Dawood purchased tickets for himself and his wife to join the Titan submersible expedition aimed at observing the Titanic wreck. Subsequently, his wife transferred her ticket to their nineteen-year-old son, Suleman. The mission intended to reach a depth of and commenced on 18 June 2023, with an anticipated duration of eight hours. Approximately one hour and forty-five minutes into the descent, communication with the surface vessel, the MV Polar Prince, was lost.

Search and rescue operations received assistance from authorities in the United States, Canada, and France. On 22 June 2023, the United States Coast Guard located debris near the bow of the Titanic, consistent with a catastrophic failure of the submersible’s pressure hull. It was confirmed that all individuals aboard—Dawood, his son Suleman, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush—perished instantly.