Mohamed Al-Fayed rose from selling soft drinks on the streets of Alexandria to controlling significant international commercial assets. His trajectory across the twentieth century involved deep integration into British society, substantial acquisitions, and persistent scrutiny regarding both his business conduct and his personal life. He remained a divisive figure until his death in London at age 94.
Early Mercantile Ventures
Born in the Roshdy neighbourhood of Alexandria in 1929, Al-Fayed began his career as a teenager selling Coca-Cola. By age 21, he had transitioned into selling sewing machines. His early professional life in the Kingdom of Egypt was marked by a brief marriage to Samira Khashoggi and a partnership with her brother, Adnan Khashoggi, within a furniture import firm. Following a contentious separation from this partnership, he moved into the shipping industry, eventually relocating his Middle Eastern Navigation Company to Italy after President Nasser enacted policies to expropriate foreign businesses.
Operations in Haiti and Dubai
In 1964, Al-Fayed arrived in Haiti, where he secured a 50-year oil contract with the government of François Duvalier. His tenure there ended abruptly after local authorities discovered that a sample of crude oil he provided was actually low-grade molasses. Shortly after departing Haiti, he established connections in the United Arab Emirates through Mahdi Al Tajir. By facilitating the development of harbour facilities in Dubai and securing financial backing for the Dubai World Trade Centre, he earned significant commissions that enabled him to expand his personal portfolio into European real estate.
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By the mid-1960s, Al-Fayed established his primary residence and business interests in the United Kingdom. His portfolio eventually included the Hôtel Ritz Paris, Harrods department store, and Fulham Football Club. His professional life in Britain was notably defined by a 20-year rivalry with Roland 'Tiny' Rowland, the chairman of Lonrho. This complex relationship involved extensive litigation and share exchanges that dominated his public activities until the late 1990s.
Public Controversy and Legacy
The final decades of Al-Fayed’s life were marked by intense media scrutiny. Following the death of his son Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales, in a 1997 car crash in Paris, Al-Fayed publicised claims that the event was an orchestrated act by MI6. Concurrently, he faced mounting accusations of sexual harassment and assault involving staff at Harrods. After his death in 2023, these allegations expanded significantly, with over 200 women bringing complaints of illegal activity against him in 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 1929, Alexandria, Kingdom of Egypt
- Died: 2023, London
- Estimated wealth at time of death: US$2 billion
- Former ownership: Harrods, Hôtel Ritz Paris, Fulham Football Club
- Citizenship: Egypt, United Arab Republic, Republic of Egypt
- Languages: English, Arabic
Questions readers ask
What were Al-Fayed's primary business assets?
His portfolio included the Hôtel Ritz Paris, Harrods department store, and Fulham Football Club.
Did Al-Fayed hold citizenship in multiple countries?
Yes, his citizenship included the Kingdom of Egypt, the United Arab Republic, and the Republic of Egypt.
What was the result of his legal dispute regarding his son's death?
He claimed the 1997 car crash in Paris was orchestrated by MI6, a theory he supported by financing the 2011 documentary Unlawful Killing.
Achievements
- Worked as entrepreneur and businessperson
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