Former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed dies at age 94

Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods and a prominent figure in the business world, has indeed passed away at the age of 94. He was born in Egypt and initially built a successful business empire there before moving to the United Kingdom in the 1970s. However, despite his long residence in the UK, he never obtained British citizenship.

One of the most significant events associated with Mohamed Al Fayed’s life was the tragic accident in which his son, Dodi, and Princess Diana lost their lives in a car crash in 1997. Al Fayed spent a considerable portion of his later years pondering the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

In addition to his ownership of Harrods, Mohamed Al Fayed was known for his ownership of Fulham Football Club. His contributions to the club were acknowledged with gratitude upon his passing, as he played a crucial role in its development, including its promotion to the Premier League.

Mohamed Al Fayed was also a philanthropist and established the Al Fayed Charitable Foundation in 1987 to support underprivileged and seriously ill children. His philanthropic efforts included donations to organizations like Great Ormond Street Hospital.

His attempts to obtain British citizenship faced challenges, including controversies and investigations involving politicians and his connections. Despite his influential status in the UK, he was denied citizenship on multiple occasions.

Ultimately, Mohamed Al Fayed sold Harrods in 2010 to the Qatari sovereign wealth fund, marking the end of his ownership of the iconic department store. He will be remembered for his significant impact on Harrods and for his philanthropic work, as well as his enduring interest in the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident involving his son Dodi and Princess Diana.