History of Mohamed Al-Fayed in Timeline
Mohamed Al-Fayed was an Egyptian businessman who established himself in the United Kingdom from the mid-1960s. His diverse business portfolio included prestigious properties like the Hôtel Ritz Paris and Harrods department store, alongside ownership of Fulham Football Club. At the time of his passing in 2023, his estimated net worth, according to Forbes, was US$2 billion. Though primarily known for his business ventures, he was also a prominent public figure due to his connection with the British royal family and the circumstances surrounding the death of his son, Dodi Al-Fayed, and Princess Diana.
1910: Harrods Receives Royal Warrants
Harrods was granted royal warrants in 1910, marking a significant milestone in the store's history.
January 1929: Birth of Mohamed Al-Fayed
Mohamed Al-Fayed was born in January 1929 in Alexandria, Egypt.
1933: Altered Birth Year
Al-Fayed changed his birth year to 1933 on his Emirati passport.
1952: Early Business Ventures
Al-Fayed began working for a furniture import business in 1952.
1954: Marriage to Samira Khashoggi
In 1954, Al-Fayed married Samira Khashoggi.
1956: Divorce from Samira Khashoggi
Al-Fayed divorced Samira Khashoggi in 1956.
1956: End of First Marriage
Al-Fayed's marriage to Samira Khashoggi ended in 1956.
1961: Transfer of Shipping Company Ownership
In 1961, due to Nasser's policies, Al-Fayed transferred ownership of his shipping company to Genoa, Italy.
June 12, 1964: Arrival in Haiti and Oil Contract
On June 12, 1964, Al-Fayed arrived in Haiti and secured a contract related to the oil industry.
December 1964: Departure from Haiti
Al-Fayed left Haiti in December 1964 after disputes related to oil dealings.
1966: Financial Advisor to the Sultan of Brunei
In 1966, Al-Fayed became a financial advisor to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III of Brunei. There were conflicting accounts regarding his introduction to the Sultan, with Tiny Rowland initially claiming Al-Fayed paid for an introduction, but later retracting the statement.
1968: Establishment of IMS in Dubai
Al-Fayed established International Marine Services (IMS) in Dubai in 1968 and facilitated construction work by British companies.
1970: Passport Issues
In 1970, Al-Fayed sought new passports due to the expiration of his Haitian diplomatic passports and difficulties obtaining visas with his Egyptian passport. He obtained Emirati passports, altering his birth year to 1933.
1972: Purchase of Balnagown Estate
In 1972, Al-Fayed purchased the Balnagown estate in Scotland, eventually expanding it and restoring the Balnagown Castle.
1974: Meeting with Roland Rowland
Al-Fayed met businessman Roland 'Tiny' Rowland in 1974, beginning a complex professional relationship.
March 1975: Investment in Lonrho
In March 1975, Al-Fayed invested in and became a director of Lonrho.
1975: Brief Stint at Lonrho
In 1975, Al-Fayed briefly joined the board of the mining conglomerate Lonrho, but left shortly after due to a disagreement.
May 1976: Departure from Lonrho
Al-Fayed left Lonrho in May 1976 due to concerns about Rowland's financial practices.
1976: DTI Report on Lonrho
In 1976, a DTI report criticized Rowland and the Lonrho group, describing them as "an unpleasant and unacceptable face of capitalism".
1977: Changes in Dubai Business Landscape
Al-Fayed's influence in Dubai declined in 1977, impacting his business prospects.
1977: Lonrho's Pursuit of House of Fraser
Lonrho, headed by Tiny Rowland, began pursuing control of House of Fraser in 1977.
1977: Earliest Allegations Against Al-Fayed Surface
The Metropolitan Police investigation into Al-Fayed extended to include allegations of offenses dating back to 1977, as revealed in November 2024.
1979: Purchase of the Ritz Paris
Al-Fayed purchased the Ritz hotel in Paris for $30 million in 1979.
1979: Start of Alleged Offenses Against Al-Fayed
The Metropolitan Police investigation into Al-Fayed encompasses alleged offenses beginning in 1979 and spanning until 2013, including sexual assault and rape claims.
1981: Diana's Marriage to Prince Charles
Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, becoming the Princess of Wales, in 1981.
1981: Monopolies and Mergers Commission Ruling
The Monopolies and Mergers Commission blocked Lonrho's attempt to acquire House of Fraser in 1981, though Lonrho's purchase of The Observer was approved.
1982: Harrods Sponsors Royal Windsor Horse Show
Harrods began its sponsorship of the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1982.
October 1984: Al-Fayeds' Financial Resources
By October 1984, the Al-Fayeds reportedly had at least $600 million available in the Royal Bank of Scotland and a Swiss bank. The source of these funds remained unclear to the DTI.
1984: Purchase of Stake in House of Fraser
Al-Fayed and his brother Ali acquired a 30% stake in House of Fraser, which owned Harrods, from Tiny Rowland in 1984.
1984: Powers of Attorney and Financial Transactions
In 1984, Al-Fayed obtained several powers of attorney from the Sultan of Brunei, giving him access to substantial funds. During this period, significant sums of money were transferred to the Royal Bank of Scotland, where the Fayed brothers held accounts. Although the bank assumed the money belonged to the Sultan, Al-Fayed claimed it was separate from the Sultan's portfolio. This led to questions about the source and nature of Al-Fayed's increasing wealth.
1984: Bettermann Begins Working for Al-Fayed
In 1984, Christoph Bettermann started working for Mohamed Al-Fayed in Dubai.
January 1985: The Dorchester Acquisition and Influence with the Sultan
In January 1985, Al-Fayed purchased the Dorchester Hotel for the Sultan of Brunei. He also accompanied the Sultan to a meeting with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, during which the Sultan decided to move assets back into sterling, bolstering the British economy. Al-Fayed took credit for influencing the Sultan's decision and securing defense contracts for British industries.
March 1985: Formal Offer for House of Fraser
In March 1985, the Al-Fayeds made a formal cash offer of £615 million for House of Fraser, claiming it was unburdened by borrowings. The DTI later questioned the source of these funds.
1985: Full Acquisition of House of Fraser
Al-Fayed and his brothers bought the remaining 70% of House of Fraser for £615 million in 1985. This acquisition sparked controversy and a DTI investigation, though no action was taken against the Fayeds.
1985: Rowland's Investigation into Al-Fayed
Starting in 1985, Rowland initiated a comprehensive investigation into Al-Fayed's acquisition of Harrods, spending millions and employing various tactics to uncover alleged fraudulent dealings.
July 1986: First Meeting with Diana and Charles
Al-Fayed and his son, Dodi, first met Princess Diana and Prince Charles at a Harrods-sponsored polo tournament in July 1986.
1986: Failed Bid for Today Newspaper
Al-Fayed's bid to buy the newspaper Today from Lonrho failed in 1986.
October 1987: Changes at Harrods Management
In October 1987, after arguments with Al-Fayed, Harrods manager Brian Walsh was fired, leading to staff unrest and Al-Fayed taking a more direct role in the store's management.
1987: Al Fayed Charitable Foundation Established
Al-Fayed established the Al Fayed Charitable Foundation in 1987 to support children in need.
1987: Conclusion of Rowland's Investigation
By 1987, Rowland's extensive investigation into Al-Fayed concluded, with findings presented to The Observer newspaper.
July 1988: DTI Inquiry Report
In July 1988, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) completed its inquiry into the House of Fraser purchase but initially declined to publish it.
1988: DTI Report on the Fayed Brothers
In 1988, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a report into the background of the Fayed brothers.
1988: Department of Trade confirms Al-Fayed's birthdate
In 1988, the Department of Trade confirmed Al-Fayed's birthdate as January 27, 1929.
1989: The Observer Publishes DTI Report
In 1989, The Observer obtained and published the DTI report, leading to a court injunction and the demand for copies to be destroyed.
1990: Bettermann Becomes Deputy Chairman
Christoph Bettermann, having worked for Al-Fayed in Dubai since 1984, became deputy chairman of Harrods in 1990.
1990: Official Publication of DTI Report
The DTI report, alleging misrepresentation by the Al-Fayed brothers, was officially published in 1990.
April 1991: Bettermann's Departure from Harrods
In April 1991, Christoph Bettermann, deputy chairman of Harrods, resigned after a dispute with Al-Fayed involving alleged phone bugging.
December 1993: British Citizenship Application Rejected
The Al-Fayed brothers' application for British citizenship was rejected in December 1993.
1993: European Court of Human Rights Ruling
In 1993, the European Court of Human Rights dismissed a case brought by Al-Fayed and his brothers against the British government concerning the DTI report.
1993: Visit from Mohammed Alabbar
Mohammed Alabbar visited Al-Fayed at Harrods in 1993, marking a shift in Dubai's economic policies.
September 1994: Racial Discrimination Cases Settled
Harrods settled five racial discrimination cases in 1994, amidst allegations of discriminatory hiring practices and disproportionate firing of black employees.
October 1994: Legal Dispute with the Maktoums
In October 1994, Al-Fayed's legal dispute with the Maktoum family regarding the Dubai World Trade Centre came to court.
1994: Changes in Harrods Ownership and Group Structure
In 1994, Al-Fayed bought out his brother's share in Harrods and separated Harrods from the House of Fraser group before its relisting on the stock exchange.
1994: Cash-for-Questions Affair
In 1994, Al-Fayed exposed several MPs who had accepted payment from him to ask questions in Parliament without declaring their fees. This "cash-for-questions" scandal led to the resignation of two Conservative MPs and the establishment of a committee to address political corruption. Al-Fayed also revealed cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken's undisclosed stay at the Ritz in Paris, leading to Aitken's libel suit, which he ultimately lost, and subsequent imprisonment for perjury.
1994: House of Fraser Goes Public and Citizenship Application
In 1994, House of Fraser went public, though Al-Fayed retained ownership of Harrods. He also unsuccessfully applied for British citizenship for the first time.
February 1995: Second Rejection of Citizenship Application
The Al-Fayed brothers' application for British citizenship was rejected again in February 1995.
September 1995: Libel Suit against Vanity Fair
Al-Fayed sued Vanity Fair for libel in September 1995 following the publication of Maureen Orth's article "Holy War at Harrods", but later withdrew the lawsuit in 1997.
1995: Failed Bid for Today Newspaper
Al-Fayed's attempt to buy Today from News International failed in 1995.
1995: Hyde Park Residences Dispute
In 1995, Al-Fayed's company, Hyde Park Residences, faced accusations from Westminster City Council of underreporting flat leases to avoid higher business rates. Al-Fayed suspected letting agent Sandra Lewis-Glass of leaking information, leading to her surveillance and a wrongful dismissal lawsuit which she won.
1995: Samantha Ramsay's Allegations
In 1995, Samantha Ramsay reported allegations of sexual assault against Al-Fayed to the Metropolitan Police. Her family claims the Met dismissed these claims, potentially preventing further abuse.
1995: Al-Fayed Profiled in Vanity Fair, Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
In 1995, Vanity Fair published a profile of Mohamed Al-Fayed, detailing allegations of sexual harassment from former Harrods employees. Al-Fayed sued the magazine, leading to a settlement without damages, but with evidence locked away.
1995: Media Scrutiny and Allegations
Starting in 1995, Al-Fayed faced increased media scrutiny and investigations regarding allegations of sexual harassment and assault.
May 1996: Purchase of Viva Radio
Liberty Publishing purchased Viva Radio, later renamed Liberty Radio, in May 1996.
1996: Relaunch of Punch Magazine
Al-Fayed bought the rights to the British magazine Punch and relaunched it in 1996. The magazine had previously ceased publication in 1992. Despite significant investment, the relaunch was unsuccessful.
1996: Establishment of Liberty Publishing
Al-Fayed established Liberty Publishing in 1996 with the aim of acquiring media businesses.
1996: Commissioning of Biography
In 1996, Al-Fayed commissioned Tom Bower to write his biography.
1996: Divorce of Diana and Charles
Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996.
1996: High Court Ruling on Citizenship
The High Court ruled in 1996 that the Home Secretary could not deny the Al-Fayeds' citizenship requests without explanation.
January 1997: Channel 4 Dispatches Documentary
A Channel 4 Dispatches documentary aired in January 1997, in which Al-Fayed alleged that Neil Hamilton had received payments for asking parliamentary questions. This documentary played a key role in the subsequent libel case.
January 1997: Establishment of The People's Trust
In January 1997, Al-Fayed founded The People's Trust, a political organization aiming to campaign against a "culture of violence". This followed his support for anti-abortion candidates.
September 1997: West Heath School Receivership
West Heath School, Princess Diana's former school, was placed into receivership in September 1997.
December 1997: ITV Exposes Al-Fayed's Sexual Harassment
In December 1997, the ITV program "The Big Story" aired testimonies from ex-Harrods staff, alleging routine sexual harassment by Al-Fayed.
1997: Al-Fayed Purchases Fulham FC
Al-Fayed acquired ownership of Fulham Football Club in 1997. In September 2024, amidst sexual assault allegations related to Harrods, claims also emerged regarding Al-Fayed's time at Fulham FC between 1997 and 2013.
1997: Purchase of Fulham F.C.
Al-Fayed bought Fulham F.C. in 1997 with the goal of reaching the Premier League within five years.
1997: Withdrawal of Libel Suit
Al-Fayed withdrew his libel suit against Vanity Fair in 1997.
1997: Death of Dodi Al-Fayed and Princess Diana
Al-Fayed's son, Dodi, and Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
1997: Termination of Horse Show Sponsorship
Harrods' sponsorship of the Royal Windsor Horse Show ended in 1997 after pressure from Prime Minister John Major to avoid associating the Queen with Al-Fayed.
1997: Diana's Holiday with Al-Fayed
In mid-1997, Al-Fayed hosted Princess Diana and her sons in the south of France, where their relationship became public.
1997: Start of Investigation
John MacNamara began working as Al-Fayed's investigator in 1997.
1997: Citizenship Request Reconsidered
The Al-Fayeds' citizenship request was reconsidered in 1997.
February 1998: Conspiracy Claims Begin
Starting in February 1998, Al-Fayed began alleging a conspiracy surrounding the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed.
May 1998: Purchase of West Heath School
Al-Fayed purchased West Heath School in May 1998 to house the Beth Marie Centre for Traumatised Children.
September 1998: Dissolution of The People's Trust
Al-Fayed's political organization, The People's Trust, was dissolved in September 1998 for failing to file its accounts.
September 1998: Reopening of West Heath School
The school reopened as The New School at West Heath in September 1998.
1998: Accusation of Theft and Arrest
In 1998, following Tiny Rowland's death, Al-Fayed was accused of stealing documents and jewels from Rowland's Harrods safe deposit box. He was arrested but charges were later dropped. Al-Fayed settled the dispute with Rowland's widow and sued the Metropolitan Police for false arrest in 2002, but lost.
1998: Publication of Unauthorized Biography and Attempted Entrapment
Tom Bower's unauthorized biography of Al-Fayed was published in 1998, which Al-Fayed initially intended to sue over, but later dropped the suit. Both Bower and Maureen Orth, another biographer, were targets of alleged entrapment attempts by Al-Fayed's staff, who offered them supposedly stolen documents.
March 1999: Ali Al-Fayed Granted Citizenship
Ali Al-Fayed was granted British citizenship in March 1999.
May 1999: Mohamed Al-Fayed's Citizenship Denied
Mohamed Al-Fayed's request for British citizenship was rejected in May 1999.
December 1999: Neil Hamilton Loses Libel Case
Former MP Neil Hamilton lost a libel case against Al-Fayed in December 1999, relating to allegations that he received payments for asking parliamentary questions.
1999: Second Citizenship Application Refusal
Al-Fayed's second application for British citizenship was refused in 1999.
1999: Michael Jackson Attends Fulham Game
Michael Jackson attended a Fulham game at Craven Cottage in 1999.
January 2000: Duke of Edinburgh's Warrant Removed
In January 2000, the Duke of Edinburgh removed his royal warrant from Harrods, and Al-Fayed subsequently removed the remaining warrants.
December 2000: Hamilton Loses Appeal
In December 2000, Neil Hamilton lost his appeal against the verdict in the libel case he had brought against Al-Fayed. The appeal was based on the claim that Al-Fayed had paid for documents stolen from Hamilton's lawyers.
2000: Appearance on Da Ali G Show
Al-Fayed appeared on an episode of Da Ali G Show in 2000.
2000: Fulham Promoted to Premier League
Fulham achieved promotion to the Premier League in the 2000-2001 season.
2000: Former Fulham Ladies F.C. Captain Alleges Sexual Assault
In 2000, Ronnie Gibbons, former Fulham Ladies F.C. captain, accused Al-Fayed of groping her and attempting to kiss her in his private office at Harrods.
May 2001: Pregnancy Claim
In May 2001, Al-Fayed first publicly claimed that Princess Diana was pregnant at the time of her death.
2002: Lawsuit Against Metropolitan Police
Al-Fayed sued the Metropolitan Police for false arrest in 2002, but lost the case. This followed the dropped charges against him for allegedly stealing from Tiny Rowland's safe deposit box.
2002: Freedom of the Scottish Highlands
Al-Fayed was awarded the Freedom of the Scottish Highlands in 2002 for his contributions to the area.
2002: Punch Magazine Folds
Al-Fayed's relaunched Punch magazine folded in 2002 after failing to compete with other satirical publications.
2002: Fulham in European Football
By 2002, Fulham was competing in European competitions, winning the Intertoto Cup.
2003: Move to Switzerland
Al-Fayed moved from Surrey to Switzerland in 2003, citing a breach of agreement with British tax authorities.
2004: Legal Case Against Tigana
Fulham lost a legal case against former manager Jean Tigana in 2004 over transfer dealings.
2004: Original Inquest Begins
The original inquest into the deaths of Diana and Dodi began in 2004.
2005: Return to Britain
Al-Fayed returned to Britain in 2005, stating he considered it his home.
2005: Metropolitan Police's Initial Claim of Receiving Allegations
The Metropolitan Police initially stated they first received allegations against Al-Fayed in 2005. However, it was later discovered they received claims as early as 1995.
2006: Operation Paget Concludes
The British Operation Paget, a police inquiry, concluded in 2006, finding no evidence of a conspiracy in the deaths of Diana and Dodi.
October 2007: Inquest into Diana and Dodi's Deaths Begins
An inquest into the deaths of Diana and Dodi began in October 2007 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
2007: Appearances on Howard Stern and in Gavin & Stacey
Al-Fayed appeared on the Howard Stern Show and was mentioned in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey in 2007.
February 2008: Testimony at Inquest
Al-Fayed's testimony at the inquest in February 2008 was widely criticized, with his investigator admitting to a lack of evidence supporting his claims.
April 2008: Jury Verdict
In April 2008, the jury delivered a verdict of "unlawful killing" due to the grossly negligent driving of Henri Paul and the pursuing paparazzi.
October 2008: Al-Fayed Questioned over Sexual Assault Allegation
In October 2008, Al-Fayed was interviewed by police regarding a sexual assault claim from a 15-year-old. The case was later dropped due to insufficient evidence.
2008: Reprint of Scotichronicon
In 2008, Al-Fayed funded a reprint of the Scotichronicon, a historical chronicle linking Scotland and Egypt, and declared that "The Scots are originally Egyptians."
2008: Conspiracy Claims Criticized
Journalist Dominic Lawson criticized Al-Fayed's conspiracy claims in The Independent in 2008.
2009: Criticism of Football Management
Al-Fayed criticized the management of The Football Association and Premier League in 2009.
2009: Burning of Warrants Filmed
Footage of the burning of the royal warrants in 2009 was included in the film "Unlawful Killing," funded by Al-Fayed.
2009: Support for Scottish Independence
In 2009, Al-Fayed expressed his support for Scottish independence, offering financial assistance and even suggesting himself as a potential president.
May 2010: Sale of Harrods
In May 2010, Al-Fayed sold Harrods to Qatar Holdings for £1.5 billion, ensuring the continuation of the store's legacy.
August 2010: Al-Fayed Burns Royal Warrants
In August 2010, Mohamed Al-Fayed revealed that he had burned Harrods's royal warrants, claiming they were a "curse" and that business had tripled since their removal in 2000.
2010: Fulham Reaches Europa League Final
Fulham reached the UEFA Europa League final in 2010.
2010: Salah Al-Fayed's Death
Mohamed Al-Fayed's brother, Salah, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2010. Some women involved in the 2024 sexual misconduct allegations claimed abuse by both brothers.
April 2011: Michael Jackson Statue Unveiled
A statue of Michael Jackson was unveiled at Craven Cottage in April 2011.
2011: Appearance on Celebrity Big Brother
Al-Fayed appeared on British Celebrity Big Brother in 2011.
2011: Unlawful Killing Documentary
Al-Fayed financially supported the documentary "Unlawful Killing" in 2011, which presented his perspective on the events surrounding Diana's death.
2011: Opening of Zoe's Place Hospice
Al-Fayed's daughter Camilla opened the refurbished Zoe's Place baby hospice in Liverpool in 2011.
2011: Al-Fayed's Loans to Fulham F.C.
By 2011, Al-Fayed had lent Fulham F.C. £187 million in interest-free loans.
2011: Support for "Unlawful Killing" documentary
In 2011, Al-Fayed financially supported the documentary "Unlawful Killing", presenting his perspective on the 1997 car crash.
July 2013: Sale of Fulham F.C. to Shahid Khan
Al-Fayed sold Fulham F.C. to Shahid Khan in July 2013.
2013: Al-Fayed Sells Fulham FC
Al-Fayed sold Fulham Football Club in 2013. In September 2024, sexual assault allegations surfaced, covering his ownership period from 1997 to 2013.
2013: Michael Jackson Statue Removed from Craven Cottage
The statue was removed from Craven Cottage in 2013.
2014: Sale of Yacht
Al-Fayed sold his yacht, the Sokar, in 2014. It had been moored in Monaco.
2014: Latest Allegations Against Al-Fayed Surface
The investigation into alleged offenses against Mohamed Al-Fayed expanded in November 2024 to include claims up to the year 2014.
December 2017: Channel 4's Dispatches Airs Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Al-Fayed
In December 2017, Channel 4's "Dispatches" program featured allegations from three women who claimed Al-Fayed sexually harassed and attempted to groom them while they were Harrods employees, one of whom was 17 at the time.
March 2019: Michael Jackson Statue Removed from Museum
The Michael Jackson statue was removed from the National Football Museum in March 2019 following renewed controversy surrounding the singer.
August 2023: Death of Mohamed Al-Fayed
Mohamed Al-Fayed died in London in August 2023 at the age of 94.
September 2024: BBC Report Reveals Extensive Sexual Assault and Rape Allegations Against Al-Fayed
In September 2024, BBC News reported that over 20 women, former Harrods employees, accused Al-Fayed of sexual assault, including five rape allegations. A BBC documentary, "Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods," showcased interviews with the women and investigated Harrods' potential cover-up of the abuse. By the end of the month, around 200 women had spoken to investigators, and Harrods' managing director acknowledged a "toxic culture" under Al-Fayed.
November 2024: Metropolitan Police Investigation Expands, Earlier Allegations Revealed
In November 2024, the Metropolitan Police investigation expanded to include over 400 alleged victims and witnesses, with claims dating back to 1977. It was revealed that the Met had received allegations as early as 1995, which were allegedly dismissed. The inquiry expanded to look into offenses up to 2014, with the youngest alleged victim being 13 years old.
2024: Additional Sexual Misconduct Allegations
After his death in 2024, Al-Fayed became the subject of multiple posthumous rape accusations
