Mohamed Al Fayed, the former Harrods boss and father of Dodi Al Fayed, who died alongside Princess Diana in a car crash, has passed away at the age of 94. Mr. Al Fayed, who was born in Egypt, built a successful business empire in the Middle East before moving to the UK in the 1970s. Despite spending his later years questioning the circumstances surrounding the deaths of his son and Princess Diana, he remained largely out of the public eye. Mr. Al Fayed passed away peacefully of old age on August 30, 2023, according to a statement released by his family.
Mr. Al Fayed played a significant role in the world of football as the owner of Fulham Football Club. The club expressed deep sadness at his death and acknowledged his contributions to the success of the team. Shahid Khan, his successor at the club, paid tribute to Mr. Al Fayed’s positive impact as chairman, which included promotion to the Premier League and memorable moments on the field. Khan stated that Mr. Al Fayed’s legacy will forever be an integral part of Fulham tradition.
Mr. Al Fayed’s rise to success was remarkable. Starting by selling fizzy drinks on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, he eventually became a prominent figure in business with connections worldwide. His marriage to Samira Khashoggi, the sister of Saudi millionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, opened doors for him that led to the launch of his shipping business. Additionally, he became an adviser to the Sultan of Brunei in 1966, solidifying his position as a prominent businessman.
His notable acquisitions included purchasing the Paris Ritz hotel in 1979 and taking over Harrods in 1985. Under his ownership, Fulham FC experienced significant growth, ascending from the third tier to the Premier League. Mr. Al Fayed was known for his philanthropic work, generously supporting causes such as Great Ormond Street Hospital. In 1987, he established the Al Fayed Charitable Foundation, focusing on improving the lives of underprivileged and unwell children.
Tragedy struck Mr. Al Fayed when his son Dodi and Princess Diana were killed in a car crash in 1997. He was deeply affected by the incident and became fixated on the speculation surrounding their deaths. During the inquest in 2008, he presented evidence alleging a conspiracy involving Prince Philip and MI6. However, these claims were deemed baseless by the coroner and rejected by the jury.
Despite his successful business career, Mr. Al Fayed faced challenges in gaining British citizenship. He made headlines in 1995 after accusing two Conservative ministers, Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith, of accepting payments in exchange for questioning his interests in the House of Commons. This revelation led to the ministers’ resignations, and Mr. Al Fayed won a libel case against Neil Hamilton. Additionally, he exposed another politician, Jonathan Aitken, for staying at the Paris Ritz alongside Saudi arms dealers. Aitken subsequently resigned from his cabinet position.
In 2010, Mr. Al Fayed sold Harrods to the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar. The majority of the proceeds were used to settle the company’s debts. Throughout his life, Mohamed Al Fayed made a significant impact in business, football, and philanthropy. His legacy will be remembered by his family, friends, and countless individuals who benefited from his generosity.