Early Life
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud was born on March 7, 1955, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is a grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, and Riad Al Solh, Lebanon's first prime minister. His father, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, was Saudi Arabia's finance minister before going into exile due to his advocacy for political reform. Alwaleed's early life was influenced by both Saudi and Lebanese cultures, which shaped his global outlook. He received his education in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
Rise to Success
Alwaleed began his business career in 1979 after graduating from Menlo College with a degree in business administration. He later earned a master's degree in social science from Syracuse University in 1985. In 1980, he founded Kingdom Establishment (later Kingdom Holding Company) with a modest loan from his father. Initially focused on real estate, the company expanded into a global investment powerhouse, with interests in diverse sectors such as technology, real estate, hospitality, and media. His early successes included partnerships in construction and real estate during the oil boom, which helped fund his investments.
Key Business Strategies
Alwaleed's key business strategies include diversifying his investments across various industries to mitigate risks. He is known for making early investments in technology companies like Apple and Twitter. He also invested heavily in the hospitality sector, owning stakes in luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons, Fairmont, and The Savoy in London. His approach has been described as patient and focused on long-term investments, such as his stake in Citigroup.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy is a core part of Alwaleed's life. He has donated over $4 billion to various causes through Alwaleed Philanthropies, focusing on women and youth empowerment, disaster relief, poverty eradication, and cultural exchange. In 2015, he pledged $32 billion towards various global initiatives. His philanthropic efforts have included contributions to educational institutions and support for intercultural understanding.