A woman whose multi-millionaire husband and son died in the Titan sub disaster has been left a fraction of his fortune because he did not have a valid UK will, documents have suggested. Shahzada Dawood was on board the OceanGate sub for the Titanic voyage in June 2023 with his son Suleman, who was studying at Glasgow’s University of Strathclyde.
The 48-year-old and 19-year-old died with three other men when the submersible imploded. Mr Dawood was considered one of the richest men in Pakistan with his business empire worth £1.3 billion a year, and a reported personal fortune of £285 million.
However The Mirror now reports his widow Christine has been left with his UK estate of £76,958 after he died without a valid UK will. A Grant of Letters of Administration was issued to the estate’s administrator, usually a spouse or nearest blood relative, during the ongoing legal affairs after he died, the Daily Mail said.
The life coach lived in a Surrey mansion with her husband, son Suleman and their other daughter Alina. But the will listed his main residence in Pakistan, meaning most of his fortune remained outside the UK.
An obituary shared from the family at the time said: “In this unfathomable tragedy, we try to find solace in the enduring legacy of humility and humanity that they have left behind and find comfort in the belief that they passed on to the next leg of their spiritual journey, hand-in-hand, father and son.
“The relationship between Shahzada and Suleman was a joy to behold; they were each other’s greatest supporters and cherished a shared passion for adventure and exploration of all the world had to offer them.
“Suleman, much like his father, was also deeply committed to serve. His excitement to join Engro after he graduated could not be contained, culminating in an internship in the summer of 2022 to learn more about the organization that his family was such a passionate believer in; Suleman is remembered fondly by Engro colleagues as a tall young man walking around with his beloved Rubik’s cube and a smile on his face.”
A statement from University of Strathclyde principal Professor Sir Jim McDonald at the time said: “We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident. The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident.”
Also on board the sub were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61, British businessman Hamish Harding, 58, and French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77.
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