When you think of a Saudi princess, you probably imagine a life of quiet seclusion behind palace walls. Honestly, Ameerah Al Taweel blew that stereotype out of the water years ago. She didn't just step into the spotlight; she basically built the stage herself.
Born into the Tribe of Otaibah in Riyadh, she wasn't born with a royal title. Her life took a turn when she was 18. She was just a student doing an interview for a school paper when she met Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. He was 28 years her senior, but they clicked immediately. That ten-minute interview turned into a marriage that lasted five years and changed the trajectory of women's rights in the Middle East.
The Divorce and the "Rebel" Label
People love a scandal, and when Ameerah and Prince Al-Waleed divorced in 2013, the rumor mill went wild. But here’s the thing: it was remarkably civil. They stayed friends.
The real friction wasn't between the couple; it was between Ameerah and the more conservative members of the royal family. She refused to wear the abaya in public. She spoke to CNN, NPR, and Time magazine. She was loud about things people usually whispered about—specifically the right for women to drive.
Her brother-in-law, Prince Khalid, famously warned Al-Waleed to "control" her media appearances. He didn't. She didn't. Eventually, that tension became too much for the family dynamic. But Ameerah didn't retreat into the shadows after the split. If anything, she got busier.
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Philanthropy Beyond the Palace
A lot of people think she was just the "face" of the Alwaleed Philanthropies. That’s a massive understatement. She was the Vice Chairwoman and the one actually on the ground. We're talking about field visits to over 70 countries.
- She opened an orphanage in Burkina Faso.
- She spearheaded relief missions in Somalia.
- She worked with the Clinton Global Initiative to tackle youth unemployment.
She once said her approach was "evolution, not revolution." She wasn't trying to tear down her country; she wanted to build up its people.
Life as a Businesswoman and Mother
Fast forward to today, and Ameerah Al Taweel has largely traded the "Princess" title for "CEO." She founded TimeAgency, a creative agency, and co-founded Tasamy, a non-profit that helps social entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground. She isn't just donating money; she's building infrastructure for the next generation of Saudis.
In 2018, she married Emirati billionaire Khalifa bin Butti Al Muhairi in a star-studded Paris ceremony. Oprah was there. Gayle King was there. It was a whole vibe. A year later, they had a son, Zayed.
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Why Her Story Actually Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about her. It’s because the reforms we see in Saudi Arabia right now—women driving, entering the workforce, traveling without a guardian—were the very things she was getting criticized for a decade ago.
She was the pioneer who took the heat so the path would be easier for the women coming after her. She’s often called the "Cinderella of Saudi Arabia," but that's a bit reductive. Cinderella waited for a prince to save her; Ameerah used her marriage as a platform and then kept building after the glass slipper didn't fit anymore.
What to Learn From Ameerah’s Journey
If you're looking at her career and wondering how to apply that "evolutionary" mindset to your own life, here’s the breakdown:
1. Leverage your platform, however small.
Ameerah started with a school newspaper. She used that one interview to create a connection. You don't need a royal title to make a move; you just need to be in the room and prepared.
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2. Focus on "Evolution, Not Revolution."
Whether it's a corporate culture or a personal habit, radical change often triggers a defensive response. Ameerah’s success came from working within the system to expand it, rather than just shouting from the outside.
3. Networking is about impact, not just names.
Sure, she knows Oprah. But she used those connections to fund the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies at Cambridge. When you meet people, think about what you can do together, not just who they are.
4. Don't fear the pivot.
Going from a royal to a divorced businesswoman in a conservative society is a massive risk. She leaned into it. If your current path isn't serving your goals, it's okay to start a new chapter.
Moving Forward
If you want to keep up with her work, the best way is to look into the Silatech board of trustees or the Tasamy Initiatives. These are the hubs where she’s currently focusing on youth employment and social entrepreneurship across the Arab world. Following her trajectory offers a real-world masterclass in how to manage a public image while maintaining a private life.
Check out her past interviews with Charlie Rose or her speeches at the World Economic Forum. They provide a lot more nuance than the tabloid headlines ever could.