So, you want to know who holds the crown in Saudi Arabia? Not the royal one—the cash one. We’re talking about the richest man in the kingdom. Spoiler: it’s not a prince riding a golden camel.
The King of Cash
Meet Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. He’s a nephew of the King, but he built his own fortune. Think of him as the Warren Buffett of the Middle East—with a bit more bling.
His net worth? Around $20 billion. That’s enough to buy a private island for every day of the year. And still have change for a gold-plated jet.
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He’s Not Your Average Royal
Al-Waleed didn’t just inherit his cash. He earned it. His father gave him a modest $30,000 loan and a house. He turned that into a global empire. Talk about a return on investment.
He owns chunks of Apple, Twitter, Lyft, and Citigroup. He even bailed out Disney in the 1990s. Mickey Mouse owes him a thank-you card.
The Playful Palace
His home is a 420-room palace in Riyadh. It’s called Kingdom Palace. Yes, it has its own zoo, a private 18-hole golf course, and a marble swimming pool that changes color.
Gates up, Saudi’s Prince Alwaleed down in Forbes rich list - Al Arabiya
He once threw a party with 1,000 guests and a live lion. The lion was on a leash. The party was not.
He owns a $500 million yacht called Kingdom 5KR. It has a helicopter pad, a spa, and a disco. The disco has a glass floor that lights up. I’m not making this up.
The Quirkiest Fact
Al-Waleed once bought a Diamond-encrusted iPhone for $1.2 million. It had a 22-karat gold home button. He gave it away as a gift. You don’t need a diamond phone when you own the company that makes the chips.
List Of Saudi Billionaires – Saudi Billionaire Net Worth – XCTF
He also owns a Bentley Continental GTC with an interior made of ostrich leather. Why? Because ostrich leather is stronger than cowhide. And because he can.
But Wait—There’s a Catch
Some people say the crown might actually belong to King Salman or Crown Prince MBS. They control the entire country’s oil wealth. That’s hundreds of billions, but it's state money, not personal.
Al-Waleed is the undisputed king of private wealth. He’s listed on Forbes’ billionaires list. The royal family? They’re not on the list because their wealth is… complicated. So the “richest man” title is his.
The Price of Freedom for Saudi Arabia’s Richest Man: $6 Billion - WSJ
He’s Not Just Money
Al-Waleed is a major philanthropist. He donated $32 million to fight Ebola. He gave $500,000 to a mosque in Malaysia. He even wrote a check for $1 million to a Saudi charity for orphans—while at a dinner party.
He once said, “I don’t just collect money. I collect impact.” That’s a nice line for a guy who owns a diamond phone.
Why You Should Care
This isn’t just a rich guy story. It’s a wild ride through power, glitz, and grit. Al-Waleed went from a small loan to a global mogul. He did it in a country where the line between royal and rich is blurry.
Saudi Arabia Richest Billionaires - YouTube
He’s proof that you can build an empire with brains, charm, and a little bit of ostrich leather. And he did it while lighting up a disco floor on a yacht.
The Final Punchline
So, next time you unlock your iPhone, remember: a Saudi prince owns a bit of it. He might be flying over you on his private 747. Or dancing under a glass disco floor. That’s the richest man in Saudi Arabia. And he’s having a better time than you.
Curious? Look up his Wikipedia page. Read about his 400-room palace. Or just enjoy the fact that someone could buy a diamond iPhone and use it to order a pizza. That’s the fun of this topic.