You’ve probably seen the headlines. The "Ritz-Carlton" arrest. The private 747 with a throne in the middle. The man who owns a chunk of basically everything you use—from the phone in your pocket to the hotel you stay in on vacation. But honestly, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is a lot harder to pin down than a simple "billionaire" label suggests.
He’s a royal, but not the kind that just sits around collecting a stipend. He’s an investor who once bailed out Citigroup, yet he’s also the guy who got caught in the biggest political shakedown in modern Saudi history. Some call him the "Warren Buffett of Arabia." Others see him as a survivor of a changing world.
The truth is somewhere in the middle. And as we head into 2026, the story of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is entering a brand new, and frankly, much more interesting phase.
The Ghost of the Ritz-Carlton
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. In late 2017, the world woke up to news that Alwaleed, along with dozens of other princes and businessmen, had been detained. They weren't in a jail cell. They were in the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.
People thought it was the end. The "Buffett of Arabia" was sidelined.
He was released in early 2018 after reaching a "financial settlement." The details are still murky. Some reports suggest he handed over assets; others say it was more about a realignment of power. Whatever the case, he didn’t just disappear. He didn't slink away into a quiet retirement. Instead, he did something nobody expected: he leaned into the new Saudi Arabia.
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Why His Portfolio Still Matters (A Lot)
If you think Alwaleed is just "old money," you haven't been paying attention to Kingdom Holding Company. He owns about 78% of it, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns a significant 16.9% slice too. That partnership is key. It tells you he’s back in the inner circle, or at least, he's a vital part of the Kingdom's "Vision 2030" plan.
His bets are everywhere.
- Tech and AI: He was an early believer in X (formerly Twitter). He’s still there. More recently, he’s poured hundreds of millions into Elon Musk’s xAI. He’s betting big that AI is the next frontier, not just a fad.
- The Luxury Game: He owns the Hotel George V in Paris. He has a massive stake in the Four Seasons. In fact, he’s currently spearheading the reopening of the Four Seasons in Beirut for 2026.
- Sports: Here’s a wild one—he’s reportedly finalizing a $2 billion takeover of the Al Hilal football club. This would be the first full private acquisition of a major Saudi club.
It’s a mix of old-school prestige and high-stakes tech. He isn't just holding onto his wealth; he's aggressively moving it into the future.
The $32 Billion Question
Back in 2015, Alwaleed made a wild claim. He said he was going to give his entire fortune—roughly $32 billion at the time—to charity. Most people rolled their eyes. "Sure, okay," they thought.
But Alwaleed Philanthropies is actually doing the work. They’ve donated over $4 billion so far. They focus on things like women’s empowerment, disaster relief, and building "cultural bridges." He was the first Arab Muslim to sign the Giving Pledge, joining the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.
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Is he doing it for the PR? Maybe. Does it matter if the money actually builds schools and hospitals? Probably not. He’s seen as a trailblazer in Middle Eastern philanthropy, moving away from traditional "handout" models toward strategic, impact-driven giving.
Life at the Top (Literally)
Let’s be real: the guy lives like a movie character. His main palace in Riyadh has 420 rooms. Four hundred and twenty. You could get lost in there for a week and never see the same hallway twice.
He’s famous for his "desert retreats." He takes a massive convoy out into the dunes to meet with locals, watch the news on giant screens under the stars, and basically run his empire from a tent. It sounds like something out of a screenplay, but it’s just Tuesday for him.
He also owns the top three floors of the Kingdom Tower. His lifestyle is a bizarre blend of hyper-modernity and deep-rooted Bedouin tradition. It’s that exact duality that makes him such a polarizing figure. He’s the most Westernized of the Saudi royals, yet he remains fiercely loyal to the House of Saud.
What's Next for the Prince?
Honestly, the next few years are going to be the real test. As Saudi Arabia opens up to tourism and diversifies away from oil, Alwaleed's expertise in global markets is more valuable than ever.
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He’s betting on the Jeddah Tower. Once completed, it’s slated to be the tallest building in the world. It’s been delayed for years, but work is finally picking up again. If he pulls that off, it’ll be the ultimate middle finger to anyone who thought he was "done" after the Ritz-Carlton incident.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal isn't just a survivor. He’s a shapeshifter. He’s adapted to the rise of tech, the shift in Saudi politics, and the global demand for "socially responsible" investing.
Actionable Takeaways for Investors
If you're looking at the Alwaleed playbook, here’s what you can actually use:
- Don't Fear the Pivot: He moved from traditional banking (Citigroup) to high-growth tech (Snap, X, xAI) seamlessly.
- Brand is Everything: Even when he was detained, the "Alwaleed" brand stayed strong. People still wanted to do business with Kingdom Holding.
- Long-Term Luxury: He buys "trophy assets" (like the Savoy or George V) because they never go out of style. In a volatile world, tangible luxury is a hedge.
- Strategic Alignment: Notice how his investments now align perfectly with his government's "Vision 2030." Fighting your environment is hard; working with it is profitable.
The story of the Prince isn't finished. It's just getting to the good part. Keep an eye on Al Hilal and the Jeddah Tower. That’s where the real action is.
Watch the Jeddah Economic Company updates. If that tower hits the clouds by 2027, the comeback will be complete. Research the xAI Series C funding rounds. See where Alwaleed is putting his chips—it’s usually a good indicator of where the smart money is heading in the Middle East.**