Billionaire Businessman and Former Fulham FC Owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Passes Away at 94
Mohamed Al-Fayed, the well-known businessman and former owner of Fulham FC, has passed away at the age of 94, according to sources. He was the father of Dodi, who was romantically linked with Princess Diana. Al-Fayed’s death was announced by his son-in-law and business partner, Ashraf Haidar, on Facebook. He expressed that Al-Fayed had passed away, saying, “Today, for the mercy of God Almighty, my wife’s grandfather, Egyptian businessman Muhammad Al-Fayed, has passed away.”
Al-Fayed’s business ventures included managing notable enterprises like Harrods and The Ritz Paris. However, his most memorable period was his vibrant time at Craven Cottage, where he owned Fulham FC. In 1997, Al-Fayed bought the football club situated in West London. One of his most iconic gestures during his ownership was erecting a 7.5-foot statue of Michael Jackson outside the Craven Cottage ground in 2011. This tribute was in honor of the King of Pop, who had watched a Fulham match with Al-Fayed in 1999. The statue was later taken down by the new owner, Shahid Khan, in 2013.
Fulham FC paid their respects to Al-Fayed, stating on Twitter: “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 somber time.”
Al-Fayed’s ownership of Fulham FC came to an end in July 2013 when Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid Khan acquired the club for around £200 million. Khan, the new owner, expressed his condolences, acknowledging Al-Fayed’s positive influence on the club. Khan remarked, “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.”
In addition to his association with Fulham FC, Al-Fayed owned the esteemed Harrods department store, which he purchased in 1979. He later sold it to Qatar Holdings in 2010. The businessman also owned The Ritz Paris until his passing, leaving behind a legacy of significant achievements in various ventures.