Sir Mo Farah has made a permanent relocation from the United Kingdom 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 Olympic champion, along with his wife Tania and their four children, including stepdaughter Rihanna, twin daughters Aisha and Amani, and son Hussein, moved to the capital of Qatar after his retirement from professional running.
According to reports from The Sun, Farah has shifted his residency status from the UK to Qatar for his business, which boasts assets worth £3.9 million and paid £375,000 in tax and VAT in 2023. By relocating to Qatar, Farah, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, will be exempt from paying taxes.
This move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. Qatar has been impacted by the conflict, with Iran targeting the country’s energy infrastructure using drones.
While over 100,000 British nationals have fled the Middle East to return to the UK since the conflict began, Farah and his family, who also have a residence in Weybridge, Surrey, are no strangers to the region’s instability, having witnessed previous aggression between the US and Iran.
In an interview with The Telegraph in July, Farah expressed his concerns about safety, stating that living in London had raised worries for the safety of his children, given the unpredictable nature of incidents they might encounter.
Originally from Somalia, Farah moved to the UK as a child and spent seven years in Portland, Oregon, during his athletic career. His decision to relocate to Qatar was driven by a desire for his children to grow up away from the public spotlight.
Speaking to The National in November, Farah shared his positive experiences in Qatar, emphasizing his commitment to spending quality time with his family post-retirement from competitive running. He highlighted the importance of supporting his children’s aspirations and being able to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle with his family.
