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Al-Waleed bin TalalBetter known as Prince Alwaleed, he is a member of the Saudi royal family and the nephew of the current King Salman.
Date of Birth: 07.03.1955
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Content:
- The Arabian Warren Buffett: Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud
- Education and Career Beginnings
- International Investments and Holdings
- Luxurious Lifestyle
- Political Influence
- Private Life
- Anti-Corruption Arrest
The Arabian Warren Buffett: Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud
Early Life and FamilyPrince Al-Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, affectionately known as "Prince Alwaleed," is a prominent member of the Saudi royal family and the nephew of the current King Salman. As the grandson of Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdulaziz bin Saud, and the great-grandson of Riad Al-Solh, the first Prime Minister of Lebanon, Alwaleed is deeply rooted in political and economic legacy.
Education and Career Beginnings
Alwaleed earned a Bachelor of Science from Menlo College in 1979 and a Master's degree from the Maxwell School of Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1985. He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter.
In 1979, after graduating from college, Alwaleed launched his business career by borrowing $300,000 and introducing foreign firms to Saudi Arabia. Through strategic investments and savvy business decisions, he amassed significant wealth.
International Investments and Holdings
Alwaleed is renowned for his transformative investments in global companies. In the 1990s, he acquired a substantial stake in Citicorp (later Citibank), saving it from financial ruin by injecting $550 million. This investment, which represented half of his wealth, proved immensely profitable.
He has also collaborated with Bill Gates as a co-owner of Four Seasons Hotels and supported Microsoft's expansion in Saudi Arabia in 2004. His portfolio includes significant investments in AOL, Apple Inc., and various media companies.
Luxurious Lifestyle
Alwaleed's wealth has afforded him an extravagant lifestyle. He famously commissioned the first private Airbus A380 Super Jumbo, which features a Turkish marble bath, a concert hall, and a garage for his Rolls-Royce. The aircraft also boasts several private suites, each equipped with a chapel with an electronic prayer rug that automatically faces Mecca.
Political Influence
Despite being the nephew of six Saudi kings, Alwaleed has remained on the periphery of the country's political core. Instead, he has focused on building a vast international corporation known as the Kingdom Holding Company, through which he manages his investments.
Private Life
Alwaleed has been married three times. His first wife, Dalal, was the daughter of his uncle, King Saud. With her, he had Prince Khaled and Princess Reem. His second wife was Iman Al-Sudairi. He met his third wife, Amira, in 2006 and proposed to her on the spot. They divorced in 2014.
Anti-Corruption Arrest
In November 2017, Alwaleed was detained by Saudi authorities as part of a widespread anti-corruption crackdown. He was released after 83 days following a reported settlement.
