Mohamed Al-Fayed Biography

He was born as Mohamed Abdel Moneim Fayed on 17 January 1929 in Alexandria, Egypt, as the eldest son of a primary school teacher. He had four younger siblings: two brothers and two sisters.

His interest in business was apparent from a young age. As a school boy he started selling home-made lemonade, and eventually tried his hand at some other jobs too.

He moved to Britain in 1974 and added the “al” to his name. Over the 1970s he focused on acquiring several profitable businesses, including the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1979 for US $30 million. The hotel’s image was on a gradual decline when he purchased it. He restored it to its past glory within a few years and today it is considered one of "The Leading Hotels of the World"

Al-Fayed and his brothers purchased a 30 percent stake in House of Fraser, a group that included the famous London store Harrods, in 1984. The next year the brothers bought the remaining 70 percent of the House of Fraser, angering Roland Rowland, the head of Lonrho, the holding company that controlled Harrods department store and had planned to purchase the House of Fraser.

Rowland pressurized the UK government to investigate the Fayed brothers, and a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) inquiry into the Fayeds was launched. Eventually Al-Fayed proved his solvency though he was still viewed with suspicion.

He signed a 50-year lease on the Parisian villa of the duke and duchess of Windsor in 1986, and immediately began restoration work on it. The villa was formally re-opened in 1989, following which he received the Plaque de Paris, the city’s highest honour.

Al-Fayed bought the freehold of West London professional football club Fulham F.C in 1997 for £6.25 million. Years later, he sold the club to American businessman Shahid Khan in 2013.

He sold Harrods to Qatar Holdings, the sovereign wealth fund of the emirate of Qatar, for £1.5 billion in 2010.

He was awarded the "Freedom of the Highlands" in 2002 by The Highlands of Scotland tourist board, in recognition of his "outstanding contribution and commitment to the highlands."

In 1954 he married Samira Khashoggi, the sister of a very successful international businessman, Adnan Khashoggi. This marriage lasted for only two years though it resulted in the birth of a son.

He married Finnish socialite and former model Heini Wathén in 1985. The couple welcomed four children.

He established the Al-Fayed Charitable Foundation in 1987 with the aim of helping sick and poor children. The foundation is involved with charities that work with disabled and neglected children in the UK, Thailand, and Mongolia.

His eldest son from his first marriage, Dodi Fayed, died in a car crash in 1997. Dodi was romantically involved with Diana, Princess of Wales, and the two were traveling together when their car crashed killing them both.

He passed away on 30 August, 2023, in London, England.

Mohamed Al-Fayed once owned the iconic department store Harrods in London, where he famously installed a memorial to Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed.

He was known for his love of luxury and extravagant lifestyle, including owning a fleet of luxury cars and properties around the world.

Al-Fayed was a passionate art collector and has amassed a significant collection of valuable artwork over the years.

He was involved in various philanthropic endeavors, supporting causes such as children's charities and healthcare initiatives.

Al-Fayed was a keen football fan and previously owned the English football club Fulham FC, investing in the team and its facilities during his ownership.