World

Former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed dies aged 94

By AAP Newswire

Sep 2, 2023

Mohamed Al-Fayed, former owner of the famed Harrods department store in London whose son was killed in a car crash with Princess Diana, has died aged 94.

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Al-Fayed, a self-made Egyptian businessman who was also a former owner of Fulham Football Club, was devastated by the death of son Dodi Fayed in the car crash in Paris 26 years ago. He spent the rest of his life mourning the loss.

In a statement released by Fulham FC, his family said: "Mrs Mohamed Al-Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday August 30, 2023.

"He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones. The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time."

In the years after the death of his son Dodi Fayed, Al-Fayed repeatedly claimed they were murdered in a plot by the British establishment.

The billionaire's relationship with the royal family was recently depicted in season five of The Crown, where Al-Fayed, played by Salim Daw, was seen getting to know Diana.

Al-Fayed took control of Harrods in 1985 and he also purchased the Ritz hotel in Paris in 1979; and was known for being the owner of Fulham FC between 1997 and 2013.