Alwaleed Bin Talal: Saudi Arabian Business magnate and investor, known for his extensive financial empire.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family, has made a significant impact in both the business and philanthropic worlds. Born on March 7, 1955, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Prince Alwaleed embarked on his journey to success when he travelled to the United States in 1975 to pursue his education.
After completing his bachelor's degree in business administration from Menlo College in California in 1979 and a graduate degree in social sciences from Syracuse University in 1985, Prince Alwaleed founded the Kingdom Holding Company in 1980. This company would later become the platform for his extensive business investments.
Prince Alwaleed has invested in a variety of businesses, including the Four Seasons Hotel, Euro Disney, Lyft (LYFT), The Hotel George V in Paris, The Savoy Hotel in London, X platform (formerly Twitter), News Corporation (NWSA), and Snap. His investments have extended beyond the hospitality and technology sectors, demonstrating his diverse business acumen.
In addition to his business ventures, Prince Alwaleed has been deeply involved in philanthropy. He founded the Al Waleed bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation in 1980, which was later renamed Alwaleed Philanthropies in 2020. This organisation, dedicated to supporting humanitarian projects worldwide, focuses on areas such as global cultural understanding, community development, disaster recovery, and women empowerment.
Prince Alwaleed has been committed to various philanthropic efforts, often funnelling his contributions through Alwaleed Philanthropies or personal donations. Notable causes include significant donations to universities and disaster relief, as well as his involvement in initiatives promoting cultural understanding.
As of June 2025, Alwaleed Philanthropies has donated over $4 billion to more than one billion beneficiaries in over 190 countries. This philanthropic organisation is organised into three divisions: Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, Alwaleed Philanthropies Lebanon, and Alwaleed Philanthropies Saudi Arabia.
In 2015, Prince Alwaleed announced that he would donate his entire fortune to charity, estimating his net worth at the time to be $32 billion. As of June 2025, his net worth, according to Bloomberg, stands at $17.4 billion.
Prince Alwaleed's philanthropic endeavours extend beyond his organisation. In December 2016, he joined Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Coalition with a promise of a $50 million investment. He also made a $250 million investment in Snap in August 2018.
However, Prince Alwaleed's journey has not been without challenges. In 2017, he was detained in a Saudi Arabian anti-corruption crackdown but was later released after settling with the country's attorney general and maintaining that he committed no wrongdoing.
Despite these challenges, Prince Alwaleed continues to be a prominent figure in both the business and philanthropic worlds. He owns real estate in Saudi Arabia and the majority of the Arabic-language entertainment firm Rotana. As of June 2025, the market capitalization of Kingdom Holding, the company he founded, was $8.17 billion.
In conclusion, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's story is one of success, resilience, and philanthropy. His contributions to businesses and charitable causes have left a lasting impact, and his commitment to making a difference continues to inspire.
- Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's extensive business investments include buying tokens during Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), which have significantly contributed to his wealth management and the growth of his finance portfolio.
- The Kingdom Holding Company, founded by Prince Alwaleed in 1980, has a market cap of $8.17 billion as of June 2025, demonstrating the success of his business ventures and token investments in various sectors.
- In addition to his philanthropic foundation, Prince Alwaleed has made significant investments in companies like Snap, injecting wealth into these businesses and contributing to their growth in the technology industry.
