Sir Mo Farah has made a permanent move with his family from the UK to Qatar, despite the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Farah and his family have been residing in Doha since 2024 and have now officially changed their residential status.
The 43-year-old former athlete, along with his wife Tania and their four children, including stepdaughter Rihanna, twin girls Aisha and Amani, and son Hussein, relocated to Doha after his retirement from running and have now formalized their move.
According to The Sun, Farah has transitioned his residency from the UK to Qatar for his business, which holds assets worth £3.9 million and paid £375,000 in taxes and VAT in 2023. By shifting his residency to Qatar, the four-time Olympic gold medallist will be exempt from tax obligations.
This relocation comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. Qatar has also been impacted by the regional unrest, with Iran targeting the country’s energy facilities using drones.
Despite the challenging circumstances in the region, Farah and his family have opted to make Qatar their permanent home. They own a house in Weybridge, Surrey, and have experienced the tensions of war firsthand, having witnessed conflicts between the US and Iran in the past.
In an interview with The Telegraph in July following an Iranian missile strike on a US base in Qatar, Farah expressed his concerns about safety, comparing London to Doha and highlighting the desire to provide a secure environment for his children away from the risks associated with living in a major city.
Originally from Somalia, Farah moved to the UK as a child and later spent seven years in Portland, Oregon, during his athletic career. The decision to relocate to Qatar was driven by the desire for his children to grow up away from the public scrutiny and pressures of celebrity life.
In a statement to The National in November, Farah emphasized the importance of spending quality time with his family, citing the positive experiences they had during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He expressed his contentment with the move, emphasizing the focus on family well-being and support for his children’s aspirations.
Farah’s decision reflects his commitment to prioritizing family life post-retirement, enabling him to be present and actively involved in his children’s pursuits while enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle in Qatar.