Mohamed Al Fayed's early life was marked by poverty, and he began working as a street vendor and salesman in his hometown at a young age. His acquaintance with businessman Adnan Khashoggi led to his first permanent position in Khashoggi's import company in Saudi Arabia. In 1954, he married Samira Kashoggi, but the marriage ended in divorce just four years later.
In 1966, Al Fayed was hired as an advisor by the Sultan of Brunei, one of the richest men in the world. This successful position brought him wealth and fortune. In the early 1970s, he moved to Great Britain, where he joined the management of the mining group Lonrho for a few months in 1975. However, disagreements with management led to his departure and a protracted dispute with Lonrho boss Tiny Rowland.
In 1979, Al Fayed and his brother Ali purchased the Ritz Hotel in Paris. In 1985, he acquired the renowned London department store Harrods, which put him in competition with Lonrho. The dispute with Rowland continued, with Al Fayed facing unfavorable results in 1990. The two rivals finally seemed to put their differences aside in 1993, but new conflicts broke out shortly afterwards.
Despite his financial commitment to social and charitable projects, Al Fayed's attempts to obtain British citizenship have been unsuccessful. He has been married to his second wife, Heini Wathen, since 1985, and they have four children together. Al Fayed has also been involved in various business ventures, including the satirical magazine Punch and the football club Fulham FC, which he acquired in 1997.
Al Fayed's personal life has been marked by controversy, including public speculation about his attempts at bribery and corruption against British politicians. He has also been involved in a high-profile lawsuit with the Duke of Edinburgh over his claims that the Duke was involved in the death of his son, Dodi Al Fayed, and his former daughter-in-law, Diana Frances Spencer.
