So, you want to know who’s sitting on the biggest pile of gold in the land of sand and skyscrapers? Grab a coffee—or maybe some camel milk—and let’s dive in. The richest person in Saudi Arabia isn’t some mysterious oil tycoon you see in movies; it’s a real, flesh-and-blood billionaire with a story wilder than a desert mirage.
The Crown Goes to… Prince Alwaleed bin Talal
Meet Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the man who makes “rich” look like pocket change. He’s consistently ranked as the wealthiest Saudi, with a net worth hovering around $20 billion. That’s enough to buy every single camel in Arabia and still have cash left for a private jet—or ten.
But here’s the kicker: he’s not the king or a dictator. He’s a businessman—a nephew of the late King Salman who turned his royal connections into a global investing empire. Think of him as Saudi Arabia’s answer to Warren Buffett, but with more Armani suits and fewer Berkshire Hathaway meetings.
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What’s His Secret? (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Oil)
Prince Alwaleed didn’t just inherit a sand dune and call it a day. He built a massive holding company called Kingdom Holding. He’s the guy who invested in Apple when it was just a fruity startup and later bought a chunk of Twitter (before Elon Musk made it a chaotic birdhouse).
He owns swanky hotels like the Four Seasons and Fairmont, plus a stake in Lyft and Citigroup. If you’ve ever stayed at a luxury hotel or tweeted something embarrassing, you’ve probably helped his wallet grow a little fatter. You’re welcome, Prince.
Living the Dream (and Then Some)
What does a $20 billion lifestyle look like? For starters, he owns a 440-foot yacht named Kingdom 5KR—you know, the one that was in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again. He also has a palace so big it has its own mini-mall inside.
And get this: his dining table seats 50 people. That’s not a table; that’s a runway for food. Rumor has it he once had a solid gold car—though I’m pretty sure that’s just a rumor, because even billionaires know gold cars get scratched.
Five things you must know about Arab’s richest man, Al-Waleed bin Talal
But Wait, There’s More Than One Billionaire
Prince Alwaleed isn’t the only wealthy soul in Saudi Arabia. The country has a whole flock of billionaires, thanks to oil, real estate, and smart investments. For example, Mohammed bin Salman—the Crown Prince—isn’t on the billionaire list because his wealth is tied to the state, but let’s be honest: he’s doing just fine.
Then there’s the Alireza family, who made their fortune in construction, and Abdulaziz Alhumaid, who built a retail empire. But none of them can touch Prince Alwaleed’s crown—pun absolutely intended.
A Little Drama (Because Billionaires Can’t Be Boring)
In 2017, Prince Alwaleed was famously detained in the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh during a corruption crackdown. He spent three months in a gilded cage, sipping tea and negotiating his release. He reportedly paid a settlement of $6 billion to get out—which is like you or me dropping a quarter in a parking meter.
He’s also had his share of public spats. Once, he called Donald Trump a “disgrace” on Twitter. Then, years later, they made up over dinner. Billionaire beef is weird.
The Future of Saudi Wealth
Saudi Arabia is trying to move beyond oil with its Vision 2030 plan. This means new billionaires might pop up in tech, renewable energy, and tourism. Prince Alwaleed is already investing heavily in those fields, so don’t expect him to fade into the sunset anytime soon.
Who is Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal? The richest man in Saudi Arabia who
In fact, he’s been vocal about supporting electric cars, AI, and even space travel. He might just be the first Saudi to buy a ticket on Elon Musk’s rocket. “To the moon, but only first class,” he’d probably say.
An Uplifting Twist: It’s Not All About the Money
Here’s the part that makes you smile: Prince Alwaleed donates hundreds of millions to charity. He’s built hospitals, schools, and disaster relief funds across the Middle East and Africa. He’s also pledged to give away his entire fortune to philanthropic causes. Yes, all $20 billion.
Imagine explaining that to your accountant. “Yeah, I’m just going to give away my private island and my diamond-encrusted watch. No big deal.” He’s a reminder that even the richest person in a kingdom can have a heart big enough to share.
So, who’s the richest person in Saudi Arabia? It’s a prince who owns half the world, dines in 50-seat glory, and still manages to be a bit of a goofball. And the best part? He’s using his mountain of cash to help others. Not bad for a guy who could’ve just bought another yacht and called it a day.
Now, go do something generous—even if it’s just buying your friend a coffee. You don’t need $20 billion to make someone’s day. And if you ever meet Prince Alwaleed, tell him I said hi. I’ll be waiting for my check.