Mohamed Al Fayed: Billionaire former Harrods owner dies aged 94 | UK News
Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire former owner of Harrods, has died aged 94.
The Egyptian-born businessman also previously owned Premier League club Fulham.
His death comes almost 26 years to the day his son, film producer Dodi, lost his life in the same Paris car crash that killed Princess Diana, on August 31, 1997.
In the years after their deaths, Mr Al Fayed repeatedly claimed they were murdered in a plot by the British establishment.
The billionaire’s relationship with the royal family was recently depicted in season five of The Crown, where Mr Al Fayed, played by Salim Daw, was seen getting to know Diana.
In a statement released by Fulham FC, his family said: ‘Mrs Mohamed Al Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday August 30, 2023.
‘He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones. The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.’
Mr Al Fayed had taken control of Harrods in 1985 and he had also purchased the Ritz hotel in Paris in 1979; and was known for being the owner of Fulham FC between 1997 and 2013.
In a tweet, the west London club said: ‘Everyone at Fulham was incredibly saddened to learn of the death of our former owner and chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed. We owe Mohamed a debt of gratitude for what he did for our club, and our thoughts now are with his family and friends at this sombre time.’
And in a tribute on the club’s website, his successor Shahid Khan said: ‘On behalf of everyone at Fulham Football Club, I send my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mohamed Al Fayed upon the news of his passing at age 94.
‘The story of Fulham cannot be told without a chapter on the positive impact of Mr Al Fayed as chairman. His legacy will be remembered for our promotion to the Premier League, a Europa League Final, and moments of magic by players and teams alike.
‘I always enjoyed my time with Mr Al Fayed, who was wise, colourful and committed to Fulham, and I am forever grateful for his trust in me to succeed him as chairman in 2013. I join our supporters around the world in celebrating the memory of Mohamed Al Fayed, whose legacy will always be at the heart of our tradition at Fulham Football Club.’
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