Shivangi Sinha
On June 18, 2023, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood, embarked on what was meant to be a thrilling adventure aboard the Titan submersible. However, all communication with the vessel was lost, and on June 22, 2023, debris from the sub was discovered. The loss was devastating for Shahzada’s wife, Christine Dawood, and their daughter, Alina Dawood, who had accompanied them on the trip and were waiting nearby on a support vessel. Netflix’s ‘Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster’ pays tribute to the lives lost by sharing insights from those connected to the ill-fated expedition.
Shahzada Dawood’s Family Went With Him on a Family Holiday That Changed Their Lives
Shahzada Dawood was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and over the years, became one of the most prominent business advisors and philanthropists in London, UK. He married Christine Meckel, a German national who had previously worked in interior design and retail sales. After their marriage, Christine joined Shahzada in his philanthropic pursuits, focusing on education and community development. The couple had two children: Suleman Dawood, born in 2004, and Alina Dawood, born in 2006. Despite their busy lives, they prioritized spending time together and often took trips as a family. One experience they had long dreamed of was a dive into the Titanic wreck in the OceanGate Titan submersible.
The plan was initially delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in June 2023, they finally scheduled the voyage. Shahzada had originally purchased tickets for himself and Christine to join the OceanGate expedition. However, their son Suleman, who had always been fascinated by the Titanic and deep-sea exploration, expressed a strong desire to join the journey. Since he had turned 18 the previous year, Christine agreed to give up her spot so that father and son could share the once-in-a-lifetime experience together.
Christine and their daughter, Alina, remained aboard the support vessel, the Polar Prince, while Shahzada and Suleman descended into the depths aboard the Titan submersible. What began as an adventure quickly turned into a nightmare when the vessel lost contact less than two hours into its dive. Christine and Alina, along with the rest of the crew and families, held on to hope in the agonizing hours and days that followed. But on June 22, 2023, their worst fears were confirmed when debris from the Titan had been discovered, indicating a catastrophic implosion. Christine later said that both she and Alina broke down in tears upon receiving the news and were devastated by the unimaginable loss of both a husband and a son in one moment.
Christine Dawood Preserves the Memory of Her Husband and Son With Love
In a deeply moving May 2025 documentary, Christine Dawood opened up about the grief and devastation that followed the loss of her husband and her son. She shared that what hurt her the most was the alleged lack of remorse from those responsible for the expedition. When asked about the results of the ongoing investigation by the US Coast Guard, she candidly said that no conclusion could undo her loss, as the people she lost were forever gone, and nothing would bring them back. Since the incident, Christine has channeled her grief into meaningful action. In March 2025, she announced a 700km memorial walk from the South of England to Glasgow. She has given it the name, Pathway of Light, and has been joined by friends and family.
It was a journey Suleman had once planned for himself. Through social media, she has shared regular updates, recounting the emotional highs and lows of her pilgrimage. Every birthday, anniversary, and milestone is remembered with love, and her poetic reflections offer a peek into the enduring weight of her sorrow. Christine has also launched Suleman’s Cubeverse at TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre through The Dawood Foundation. It is a tribute to her son’s passion for Rubik’s Cubes and is aimed at fostering creativity and curiosity in young minds. Through her grief, Christine continues to honor her loved ones. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t miss them, and each one is a step in both healing and remembrance.
Christine is Channeling All Her Energy Into the Dawood Foundation Today
Christine Dawood long stood as a pillar of strength, both professionally and personally, beside her late husband, Shahzada Dawood. She built a meaningful career that bridges entrepreneurial ambition with philanthropic commitment. In 2004, shortly after her marriage, she founded Imhotep Organics Pte Ltd, a sustainability-focused company where she served as CEO until 2010. That same year, she transitioned into the role of Family Advisor at Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited, a position she held for over a decade until September 2021. In October 2018, she founded Next Step Now Ltd, a coaching and development consultancy, where she worked as a professional development coach, guiding individuals and organizations through transformation and growth.
Christine was still active in this role when she suffered the loss of her husband and son in 2023. She has also achieved major feats in her education. From 2015 to 2017, she was enrolled at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where she pursued her Master’s in Consulting and Coaching for Change. She even spent a year at Kingston University and some time at the Executive HEC Paris. She even holds an Engineering Degree from Reutlingen University, which she received in 2003.
Since then, she has assumed an executive leadership role as Senior Vice President at Engro Corporation, one of Pakistan’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, where her husband had previously served as Vice Chairman and board member. Christine also continues her long-standing association with The Dawood Foundation, a philanthropic organization that promotes education, environmental awareness, and disaster relief across Pakistan. She has served as its Representative since November 2018 and joined its Board of Trustees in February 2021. Her work remains a testament to the legacy of impact and passion she and Shahzada shared.
Suleman Dawood Passed Away in the Same Submersible as Shahzada Dawood
Suleman Dawood was born in 2004, and even as a young child, he stood out for his bright spirit, intelligence, and curiosity. After finishing his schooling at ACS International School in Cobham, England, he eventually enrolled at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and was pursuing a degree in business. He was passionate about puzzles and problem-solving, and he was especially fond of Rubik’s Cubes, a hobby that reflected his analytical mind and patience. On June 18, 2023, he joined his father, Shahzada Dawood, on the Titan submersible expedition to explore the Titanic wreck site. Though it was initially his mother who was meant to accompany his father, Suleman went in her place, excited by the adventure. He brought along his Rubik’s Cube, hoping to solve it at the bottom of the ocean. However, the submersible imploded during the voyage. His remains, like the others on board, were never recovered.
Alina Dawood is Rarely in the Public Eye
Alina Dawood was just 17 years old when the Titan submersible incident occurred in June 2023. Since that day, she has remained out of the public eye, coping with the immense grief privately. It seems like she is also with her mother on the Pathway of Light walk. Her mother, Christine Dawood, has occasionally spoken about how deeply affected Alina was by the loss and shared that the pain of losing both her father and brother was beyond words. As of the latest reports, she has enrolled in university and is continuing with her studies. Her path forward is undoubtedly shaped by her loss, but she remains surrounded by the love and support of her family.
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