Sheikha Mayassa Bint Al Thani

HAVING TOPPED ARTREVIEW’S 2013 ranking of the 100 most influential figures on account of her organisation’s vast purchasing power and willingness to spend, the sister of Qatar’s Emir dropped down to 13 in 2014. She still proved Qatar’s determination to become a centre for art, with Doha hosting shows and exhibitions by Richard Serra, Mona Hatoum and Shirin Neshat. We’re also sure she had a hand in bringing the $6.8 million Urs Fischer sculpture to the city’s new airport.