Mona Monica Kattan stands as one of the Middle East’s most successful beauty entrepreneurs with an estimated net worth between $100-200 million as of 2025. Born on May 8, 1985, this Iraqi-American entrepreneur transformed from investment banking to building fragrance and beauty empires. At age 40, she continues expanding her business ventures while starring in Netflix’s Dubai Bling reality series.
Mona Kattan Bio/Wiki
| Quick Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Mona Monica Kattan |
| Age | 40 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthday | May 8, 1985 |
| Husband | Hassan Elamin |
| Net Worth | $100-200 million |
| Nationality | American-Iraqi-Emirati |
| Height | 5’8″ (some sources: 5’6″-5’7″) |
| Business | Kayali Fragrances CEO, Huda Beauty co-founder |
Mona Kattan Personal Background and Early Life
Mona Monica Kattan was born to Iraqi parents Ibrahim Kattan and Susu Al Qazzaz in Oklahoma on May 8, 1985. Her childhood involved multiple relocations from Oklahoma to Cookeville, Tennessee, and later to North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. During her youth, she won the Little Miss Tennessee pageant title, showing early comfort in public settings.
In 2003, when Mona was 17, the Kattan family relocated to the United Arab Emirates following increased discrimination after the September 11 attacks. This transition proved pivotal for her future business success in the Middle Eastern market. The family’s diverse geographical experience gave her unique cultural perspectives that would later influence her entrepreneurial approach.
Education and Early Career
Mona completed high school at Sharjah American International School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from American University of Sharjah in 2008. She made the Dean’s List and participated in Annalisa’s Cooking Club and the UAE Cultural Society Club. During university, she first met Hassan Elamin through his sister Sally Elamin, though their romantic relationship wouldn’t begin until 2020.
After graduation, Mona briefly worked as a Consumer Division Financial Accountant at Johnson & Johnson for one month before joining the Development Bank of Singapore as a Corporate and Investment Banking Financial Analyst from 2008-2009. She faced significant challenges in the male-dominated finance industry, later stating: “I was an investment banker before starting in the beauty and fragrance industry, which is a male-dominated industry. One of the reasons I left is that I was never treated the same and felt extremely excluded” (source: Style.Nine).
From 2009-2012, she transitioned to PR Division Managing Partner at MasterMind PR and Communications, gaining marketing and brand-building experience that would prove crucial for her beauty industry success.
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Beauty Empire Development
In January 2012, Mona co-founded The Dollhouse Beauty Lounge, though partnership disputes led to her departure in October 2018. The major breakthrough came in 2013 when she co-founded Huda Beauty with sisters Huda Kattan and Alya Kattan. The company launched with false eyelashes that gained cult status, including Kim Kardashian West’s endorsement.
The strategic partnership between the sisters proved highly successful. Mona’s business acumen and finance background complemented Huda’s creative vision and social media expertise. In 2017, TSG Consumer Partners acquired a minority interest in Huda Beauty, significantly boosting the company’s valuation and global reach.
Mona Kattan: Kayali Fragrances Empire
In 2018, Mona launched Kayali (Arabic for “my imagination”), her independent luxury fragrance venture reflecting deep connections to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions. She partnered with Firmenich, a Geneva-based perfume house, to create the collection.
“I’ve been obsessed with fragrances ever since I was a kid. My most sensitive sense was the sense of smell,” Mona explained. “When I moved to Dubai when I was 17, that was like taking it from love to next-level obsession—just a crazy fascination with fragrances. Because, in Dubai, people use perfume in such an interesting way. They use it as a ritual, as a part of their daily lifestyle” as confirmed by Women’s Health Magazine.
Kayali launched with four signature scents: Elixir 11, Citrus 08, Musk 12, and Vanilla 28. The numbers represent formula modifications before finalization. The brand expanded with Déjà Vu White Flower 57 (2020), The Wedding collection (2023), and Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81 (2024).
In 2025, Kayali became independent from Huda Beauty when General Atlantic acquired Huda Beauty’s ownership stake, with Mona remaining as CEO. Her personal fragrance library contains over 3,500 perfumes organized by brand, demonstrating genuine expertise in the field.
Investment Portfolio and Business Ventures
Beyond beauty, Mona co-founded HB Investments in 2018, supporting businesses including Fresha, Humantra, Ketish, and Kitopi. She serves on advisory boards for The Luxury Closet (since July 2020), Humantra (since January 2021), Waldencast Creative Council (since May 2023), and Heroine Sport (since May 2023).
In 2025, Mona and her father opened Daddy Cool’s Kitchen, an Iraqi restaurant in Dubai Hills Mall, showcasing their cultural heritage. This venture represents her expansion into the food industry while preserving Middle Eastern culture through business.
Media and Entertainment Career
Mona starred in Facebook Watch’s “Huda Boss” (2018-2019) and joined Netflix’s “Dubai Bling” cast in season two (2023), continuing into season three (2025). According to Tuko News reporting, Mona earns around $2,500 per episode for her appearances on Dubai Bling
Her digital presence includes a YouTube channel (launched February 2020, 95.8k subscribers), podcast “With Love, Mona” (launched November 2020), over 3.8 million Instagram followers, and 1.1 million TikTok followers under @monakattan. She maintains active engagement through business insights, fragrance expertise, and lifestyle content.
Mona Kattan Personal Life and Relationships
Mona was previously engaged to Dominic Nowell-Barnes, founder of The Giving Movement, in 2019, though the engagement ended in late 2020. She reconnected with university friend Hassan Elamin, beginning romantic dating in November 2020 after connecting on Facebook in 2007 as reported by People Magazine.
Hassan Elamin works as Head of Facultative for Aon Reinsurance Solutions, covering the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. In 2024, he co-founded the Elamins clothing brand with his siblings. They married on February 22, 2022, at Raffles The Palm in Dubai, specifically choosing the date 22.2.22 for its significance.
They reside in a luxury home on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, designed by Chattels and More featuring contemporary style with vintage elements. Mona maintains a dedicated “perfume room” for relaxation and her extensive fragrance collection.
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Recognition and Awards
Mona’s achievements include ranking number one on Forbes’ “40 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands” list (2021) with Huda, and sixth on the “50 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands 2023″ list. She was named “Instagrammer of the Year” by The Fragrance Foundation in 2019 and also received the Global Gift Women Empowerment Award in Dubai the same year as confirmed by Wikipedia.
She serves as an ambassador for MyDubai and has been a YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) member since January 2019. These recognitions acknowledge her business success and cultural representation efforts.
Philanthropic Activities
During COVID-19, Mona joined Beauty United (April 2020) alongside Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow to provide protective equipment for healthcare workers. She supports Doctors Without Borders and Black Lives Matter initiatives through financial contributions and social media advocacy.
Mental health advocacy represents a key focus, consistently promoting therapy and emotional well-being with hashtags like #NormalizeTherapy. This work helps reduce stigma around mental health treatment in Middle Eastern communities.
Mona Kattan Net Worth and Financial Success
The Cinema Holic estimated Mona’s net worth between $100-200 million as of 2025, making her among the wealthiest Dubai Bling personalities. Her wealth stems from Kayali Fragrances and Huda Beauty ownership stakes, plus investment portfolio returns. The 2017 TSG Consumer Partners investment and 2025 General Atlantic acquisition significantly boosted these valuations.
Cultural and Professional Impact
Mona’s success breaks barriers for Arab women in global business. “Although the beauty industry is better [than investment banking], it’s not completely there yet. The best advice I can give is to never give up and never change who you are,” she stated (source: business interviews).
Her advocacy extends beyond personal success to mentoring female entrepreneurs and demonstrating that Middle Eastern women can achieve global business success. The representation of Iraqi heritage through Daddy Cool’s Kitchen and cultural elements in Kayali fragrances helps preserve Middle Eastern culture globally.
Conclusion
Mona Monica Kattan’s transformation from finance professional to multimillionaire entrepreneur demonstrates successful career pivoting while maintaining cultural identity. Her journey from facing discrimination in investment banking to Forbes recognition shows resilience and business acumen. The 2025 independence of Kayali marks a new entrepreneurial chapter as she continues building her legacy through business, media, and philanthropy.
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FAQ’s About Mona Kattan
How old is Mona Kattan in 2025?
Mona Kattan is 40 years old as of 2025, born on May 8, 1985.
What is Mona Kattan’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth ranges between $100-200 million as of 2025, primarily from Kayali Fragrances and Huda Beauty.
Who is Mona Kattan’s husband?
She married Hassan Elamin on February 22, 2022. Hassan works for Aon Reinsurance Solutions and co-founded Elamins clothing brand.
What businesses does Mona Kattan own?
She is CEO of Kayali Fragrances, co-founder of Huda Beauty and HB Investments, plus co-owner of Daddy Cool’s Kitchen restaurant.
How did Mona Kattan become famous?
Through co-founding Huda Beauty (2013), launching Kayali Fragrances (2018), and starring in reality shows including Dubai Bling.
What is Kayali Fragrances?
Kayali is Mona’s luxury fragrance line featuring Middle Eastern-inspired scents created with Geneva-based Firmenich.
Where does Mona Kattan live?
She resides in a luxury home on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, designed by Chattels and More.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is compiled from publicly available sources and may not reflect the most current developments. Net worth figures are estimates based on available data. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness of all details presented.
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