Al Waleed Bin Talal, one of the richest individuals in the Middle East, has proven that he is more than just wealth and luxury. Rising to fame at a young age, he established his real estate firm ‘Kingdom Holding Company’ and ventured into finance, becoming associated with multi-billion dollar enterprises. He has invested in renowned firms such as Apple Inc and AOL, and has been actively involved in philanthropic activities, empowering women, providing scholarships, and aiding in the rehabilitation of natural disaster victims. His support even helped a woman become the first female pilot of Saudi Arabia. To learn more about the life and achievements of Al Waleed Bin Talal, continue reading.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Arabian Warren Buffett, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud, Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud
- Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Ameera Al-Taweel, Asmaa bint Eidan bin Nayef Al Taweel Al Osaimi Al Otaibi, Khlood Al-Sarhani, Maha Al Saeed Al-Tamimi, Princess Dalal bint Saud bin Abdul Aziz, Princess Iman Bint Nasser Al-Sudairy
- Father: Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
- Mother: Princess Mona El-Solh
- Siblings: Khaled bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
- Children: Prince Khaled bin Talal, Princess Reem bin Talal
- Quotes By Al-Waleed Bin Talal
- Humanitarian
- Height: 5’6″ (168 cm), 5’6″ Males
- Notable Alumni: Menlo College
- City: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Founder/Co-Founder: Kingdom Holding Company, Rotana Records, Al-Resalah Satellite TV
- More Facts
- Education: 1979 – Menlo College, 1985 – Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, University of Exeter
Childhood & Early Life
Al Waleed was born on March 7, 1955, in Jordan to Prince Talal and Mona Al Solh. His father, who was the Finance minister, was overthrown from power and forced into exile. Waleed lived with his mother in Lebanon after his parents divorced in 1969. During his younger days, he was undisciplined and would often escape from home and sleep in cars parked on the streets.
Career
After graduating from Menlo College in 1979, Talal returned to Saudi Arabia to start his own business. He ventured into real estate and construction, taking advantage of the country’s booming oil business. He acquired the underperforming United Saudi Commercial Bank and merged it with other enterprises, making it one of the best financial organizations in the Middle East. He also invested in companies like Citicorp, AOL, Apple Inc., and the Four Seasons group of hotels.
Major Works
In 2011, Al-Waleed invested $300 million in Twitter, which gained attention worldwide. His stake in the company was estimated to be around $8 billion. He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Izzudin and the Dwight D Eisenhower Award for Innovation.
Personal Life & Legacy
Al-Waleed has a sister named Sultana Narul, who is also a stakeholder in the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts hospitality empire. He has been married twice, first to Dalal Bint Saud and later to Ameera Al Taweel. He owns luxurious palaces, hospitality concerns, and a yacht named Kingdom 5KR. He is also involved in philanthropy through the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, which aims to alleviate social problems and help victims of natural disasters.
Trivia
Al-Waleed donated $10 million to the mayor of New York City after the World Trade Center attacks in 2012. He has also made significant donations to various causes, including education and disaster relief.