Mohamed Al-Fayed was an Egyptian businessman whose residence and chief business interests were in the United Kingdom from the mid-1960s. In this post, we will take a look at who Mohamed Al-Fayed’s wife Samira Khashoggi and Heini Wathén are. Keep reading for more details.
His business interests included ownership of the Hôtel Ritz Paris, Harrods department store and Fulham Football Club, both in London.
Mohamed Al-Fayed Biography
Born in the vibrant Roshdy neighbourhood of Alexandria, Egypt, Mohamed Al-Fayed emerged as a figure whose life would defy convention and weave a complex narrative spanning borders, cultures, and industries. The eldest son of an Egyptian primary school teacher from Asyut, his exact birth year became the subject of dispute, with his official website, alfayed.com, initially claiming 1933 as his birth year before settling on 1929 in 2011. This early discrepancy foreshadowed a life filled with intrigue and enigma.
Family ties played a pivotal role in Al-Fayed’s journey, with his brothers Ali and Salah becoming his trusted business partners. Together, they embarked on ventures that would reshape the global business landscape.
Al-Fayed’s early marriage to Samira Khashoggi from 1954 to 1956 introduced him to a network of influential connections. His brother-in-law, Adnan Khashoggi, a well-known Saudi Arabian arms dealer and businessman, added a layer of complexity to his life, especially considering Adnan’s familial connection to the tragic Jamal Khashoggi affair.
Sometime in the early 1970s, Mohamed Al-Fayed decided to adopt the name “Al-Fayed” rather than the simpler “Fayed.” His brothers, Ali and Salah, followed suit during their ownership of the House of Fraser in the 1980s, although they later reverted to their original name. Speculation arose that the addition of “Al-” to their names aimed to evoke aristocratic origins, similar to “de” in French or “von” in German. However, it’s essential to note that “Al-” doesn’t carry the same social connotations in Arabic. Nonetheless, this name change led Private Eye magazine to dub Mohamed Al-Fayed as the “Phoney Pharaoh.”
The Al-Fayed brothers initially established a shipping company in Egypt but eventually relocated its headquarters to Genoa, Italy, with additional offices in London. This move marked the beginning of their global business endeavours.
In 1964, Mohamed Al-Fayed developed a close association with François Duvalier, the Haitian leader known as ‘Papa Doc.’ Their collaboration centred around an ambitious plan to construct a Fayed-Duvalier oil refinery in Haiti. Al-Fayed’s connections with figures like geologist George de Mohrenschildt showcased his diverse interests. Still, his Haitian venture was short-lived when a supposed sample of “crude oil” was revealed to be low-grade molasses.
Following his Haitian episode, Mohamed Al-Fayed relocated to England, settling in central London. It was here that he crossed paths with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, who entrusted him with a crucial role in Dubai’s transformation.
In 1968, he established IMS (International Marine Services) and introduced British companies such as the Costain Group, where he became a director and 30% shareholder, Bernard Sunley & Sons, and Taylor Woodrow to participate in the emirate’s developmental projects. Additionally, he served as a financial adviser to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III of Brunei in 1966, further expanding his global reach.
In 1975, Mohamed Al-Fayed briefly joined the board of Lonrho, a mining conglomerate, but parted ways due to a disagreement, adding another layer of intrigue to his ever-evolving career.
One of the most iconic chapters in Al-Fayed’s life was his acquisition of The Ritz hotel in Paris in 1979, a historic landmark that he purchased for a staggering $30 million. This move solidified his presence in the world of luxury hospitality.
Mohamed Al-Fayed Dies At Age 94
Tragically, on August 30, 2023, Mohamed Al-Fayed passed away in London at the age of 94, marking the end of an era filled with remarkable achievements and controversies. He was laid to rest on September 1st after Friday prayers at London Central Mosque, surrounded by his family.
Mohamed Al-Fayed Wife: Meet Samira Khashoggi and Heini Wathén
The late billionaire was married twice. He was married to the Saudi Arabian progressive author, Samira Khashoggi from 1954 to 1956. They had one child together named Dodi Fayed. One month after Dodi was born, they ended their marriage.
Mohamed later married the Finnish socialite and former model known as Heini Wathén-Fayed. They married in 1985 and had four children together. The children are Jasmine (born 1980) and Camilla (born 1985), and sons Karim (born 1983) and Omar (born 1987).
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