AlFayed

AlFayed is a surname associated with a prominent Egyptian-born, British-based business family led by Mohamed Al-Fayed. The family built a diversified portfolio across retail, hospitality, and real estate, with activities spanning Europe and the Middle East. The name has become synonymous with high-profile commercial ventures and public visibility in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Mohamed Al-Fayed (born 1929) rose to prominence as a leading businessman who expanded his interests from early ventures in Egypt into international retail and property. He is best known in the United Kingdom for purchasing Harrods, the luxury department store in London, which brought the Al-Fayed name into the global spotlight. He later pursued other high-profile investments, including in the hospitality sector and, for a period, in football media and clubs.

Dodi Al-Fayed (1955–1997), Mohamed’s son, was a member of the family business circles and became widely known beyond the company through his relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. He and Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, an event that attracted extensive international media attention and prompted ongoing scrutiny of the family’s public profile.

The Al-Fayed family, through the Al-Fayed Group and related holdings, has been involved in various ventures in retail, hospitality, and real estate. They have also engaged in philanthropic and cultural activities, supporting causes in Egypt and the United Kingdom. Over time, the core assets and leadership within the family have undergone restructuring, but the Al-Fayed name remains associated with a long-running legacy of entrepreneurship and public presence in business circles.