Okay, let’s talk about Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. You know that guy, right? The one who seems to own everything. Seriously, if it’s famous and expensive, he probably has a piece of it.
Think Apple. Twitter. CitiGroup. He’s like a global shopping spree, but with billions of dollars. It’s honestly a little ridiculous.
He’s not just any prince. He’s the “Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia.” A fancy title, but who came up with that? Probably his PR team. And you know what? It kinda fits.
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The Guy with the Golden Everything
Let’s talk about his lifestyle. It’s extra. No, scratch that. It’s supernova extra. He owns a jumbo jet that he uses as a flying palace.
We’re talking gold-plated seatbelt buckles. A private meeting room that looks like a desert tent. And a throne? Yes, he has a throne on his plane. Because why not?
His apartment in the Kingdom Tower? It’s the highest residential space in the world. You could probably see Mars from his living room. I’m only half-joking.
How Did He Get So Rich?
He didn’t just inherit it all. Well, he had a head start—his dad was a prince, and his granddad was King Abdulaziz. But he took that seed and grew a money tree.
He started small. Real estate. Took a loan. Flipped it. Then he went global. The guy invested in Citigroup before the 90s crisis. Then he bought even more when everyone panicked. Nerve? He’s got it.
He once said, “I follow the bottom line.” Simple, right? But he also plays big. He bought a 5% stake in Twitter before it went public. That’s like betting on a tweet and winning the lottery.
The Rebel Prince (Sort Of)
Here’s where it gets interesting. Alwaleed is a reformer. In Saudi Arabia, that’s a tightrope walk. He’s been pushing for women’s rights—like allowing women to drive.
2020 World's Most Powerful Saudis Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud
He wrote an open letter to the king, saying, “Let them drive.” Bold move. He calls himself a modern Muslim. He wants a more open economy, less religious police. Not everyone loves that.
But he’s also a master diplomat. He has dinner with American CEOs and Saudi royals. He donates millions to charities. Then he buys a $300 million yacht. Balance? I guess so.
The Detour: The Ritz-Carlton Incident
Remember 2017? The big “anti-corruption” purge in Saudi Arabia? Yeah, Alwaleed was one of the princes who got invited to the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.
It wasn’t a vacation. He was held there for months. Allegedly, he had to negotiate a settlement—rumored to be $6 billion. That’s a lot of pocket change. He lost some assets, but he’s still super rich.
He later called it a “misunderstanding.” I call it a very expensive hotel stay. He’s back in the game now, investing in Lyft and Snapchat. Nothing slows this guy down.
What’s His Secret Sauce?
Honestly? Timing. He buys when everyone is scared. He sells when everyone is greedy. He’s also obsessed with details. He reads every contract. Every page. For a $500 million deal? Still reads it.
He’s also a showman. He loves the spotlight. He gives interviews in his private jet, pointing at gold buttons. He wants you to know he’s rich. Is that tacky? Maybe. But it works.
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Principe Alwaleed Bin Talal Criancas
He once said, “I don’t buy things because they are expensive. I buy them because I like them.” Sure, Prince. Sure.
The Philanthropist Side
Don’t think it’s all gold and planes. He gives away huge sums. Over $4 billion to charity. He donated to tsunami relief. Built bridges in Lebanon. Funded women’s education.
He also funds interfaith dialogue. He’s met with the Pope. He’s talked with rabbis. He wants to show a different side of Islam. Is it genuine? I think so. He’s too rich to need the PR.
But let’s be real: he’s still a billionaire. His “modest” donations are like me buying a coffee. Perspective, people.
The Final Verdict
Alwaleed is a ridiculous character. He’s part tycoon, part eccentric uncle, part activist. He owns a car with a gold-plated interior. But he also fights for women’s rights.
He’s a walking contradiction. A Saudi prince who tweets in English. A billionaire who sometimes lives on a plane. A rebel who bowed to the crown.
Would I trade places with him? Nope. I’d miss my morning walk. But I’d love to borrow his jet for a weekend. Just one. Please?
So next time you see Apple stock go up, think of the guy in a gold-trimmed robe. He probably bought it while eating a $500 steak. And he’s probably smiling.