You’ve probably seen the photos of the 420-room palace in Riyadh or the private Boeing 747 that looks more like a flying penthouse. For decades, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud was the face of Saudi Arabian wealth—the flashy, media-savvy billionaire who could rescue Citigroup from the brink of collapse with a single check. But lately, things feel different.
Honestly, the narrative shifted hard after 2017. One minute he’s the world’s most famous investor, and the next, he’s spending months in a suite at the Ritz-Carlton during the Kingdom’s massive anti-corruption sweep. People thought that was it. They figured the Alwaleed era was over.
They were wrong.
The Comeback Strategy Nobody Noticed
Fast forward to early 2026, and Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud is still a massive player, though his moves are quieter. He’s not just "Saudi royalty." He’s a survivalist in the brutal world of high-stakes finance.
Basically, he’s pivoted from being a solo act to a strategic partner with the Saudi state. In 2022, he sold a 16.9% stake of his brainchild, Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), to the Public Investment Fund (PIF). That’s the sovereign wealth fund run by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Some called it a surrender. Others saw it as the ultimate hedge. By bringing the government onto his cap table, Alwaleed basically aligned his personal fortune with the "Vision 2030" plan that’s currently transforming the country. It was a genius move, really. It kept him relevant while providing the liquidity needed to chase the next big thing.
What's that next thing? Artificial Intelligence.
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While everyone was arguing about Twitter (now X), Alwaleed was doubling down. He and KHC poured hundreds of millions into Elon Musk’s xAI. He’s bet big that the future isn't just in social media, but in the LLMs and infrastructure powering it. He still owns a massive chunk of X, too. In fact, he’s still one of the largest shareholders behind Musk himself.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Wealth
There’s this persistent myth that Alwaleed just inherited a mountain of gold and sat on it. That’s not how it happened.
Sure, being the grandson of the founding King of Saudi Arabia and the founding King of Lebanon helps. No doubt. But he started his "Kingdom Establishment" in 1980 with a relatively small loan—about $30,000—and a four-room cabin.
He made his real bones in the 90s.
Remember when Citicorp was falling apart? 1991. The bank was bleeding. Most Wall Street "experts" wouldn't touch it. Alwaleed stepped in with $590 million. It was a massive gamble. It paid off so well that it literally minted his reputation as the "Warren Buffett of Arabia."
He’s always been attracted to "broken" brands with high prestige.
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- Apple: He bought in when the company was struggling in 1997.
- Four Seasons: He owns a massive stake in the luxury hotel chain.
- Rotana: His media empire dominates Arabic music and film.
- Jeddah Tower: The project to build the world’s tallest building is back on track.
It’s easy to look at the gold-plated cars and assume it’s all vanity. But if you look at the portfolio, it’s a list of companies that define modern life. He likes to be where the influence is.
The "Ritz-Carlton" Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the 2017 detention. You can’t tell the story of Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud without it.
For 83 days, he was held at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. It was part of a "purge" that shook the global financial community. Rumors flew. Was he being tortured? Was his money being seized?
When he finally walked out in January 2018, he looked thinner. He gave an interview to Reuters in his hotel suite, insisting it was all a "misunderstanding" and that he supported the King.
The reality? It was a "financial settlement." The exact number was never made public, but it’s widely believed he handed over a significant chunk of assets to regain his freedom. But here's the thing: he didn't disappear. He didn't flee to London or Paris. He stayed in Riyadh. He kept investing.
It shows a level of political navigation that most Western investors don't understand. In the Middle East, business and politics aren't just related—they’re the same thing. Alwaleed learned how to play the new rules of the game.
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Why He’s Still a Major Force in 2026
If you’re looking for where the smart money is moving in the MENA region, you look at Kingdom Holding.
Alwaleed has always been obsessed with the "Western" way of doing business—transparency, quarterly reports, and global branding. But now, he’s blending that with the Saudi nationalist push. He’s investing heavily in local tourism, tech startups in Riyadh, and the massive infrastructure projects like NEOM.
He’s also one of the world's most aggressive philanthropists. Through Alwaleed Philanthropies, he’s spent over $4 billion on everything from disaster relief to women’s empowerment. He’s pledged to eventually give away his entire fortune.
Is he as powerful as he was in 2005? Probably not. The rise of the PIF means there’s a much bigger shark in the water now. But Alwaleed has something the sovereign funds don't: a 40-year track record of picking winners in the West.
Actionable Insights for Investors
Looking at Alwaleed's career, there are a few "Alwaleed Rules" you can actually apply to your own strategy:
- Buy the Blood: He made his billions by buying Citigroup and Apple when everyone else was selling. If a brand is "too big to fail" but currently failing, that’s where he looks.
- Align with Power: His 2022 deal with the PIF proved that even billionaires need to stay on the right side of the government. In today's global economy, political risk is as important as market risk.
- Diversify Geographically: He never kept all his money in the Kingdom. He spread it across the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- Patience is Key: The Jeddah Tower has been "stalled" for years, but he’s finally getting it moving again in 2026. He doesn't think in months; he thinks in decades.
Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud remains a fascinating, polarizing figure. He’s a bridge between the old Saudi Arabia and the new one. Whether he's tweeting about Elon Musk or scouting a new hotel location in London, he’s still the man who proved that a Saudi prince could beat Wall Street at its own game.
To track his current influence, keep a close eye on Kingdom Holding’s filings on the Tadawul (Saudi Exchange). His shifts into AI and renewable energy over the next year will likely signal where the next wave of Saudi private capital is headed.