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Inside The Trillionaire Travels Of King Salman's Wives
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00:00You think billionaires set the standard for riches? Not even close.
00:03King Salman's family lives on a scale that makes billionaires look ordinary.
00:07Their empire spans trillions, with gold-dripping palaces, floating resorts at sea,
00:11and jets turned into airborne mansions.
00:14And trust me, this is just the surface.
00:16Here's how life looks when money has no ceiling.
00:18The architectural marvels that house the world's richest family.
00:22In a world where extreme wealth exists in pockets of unimaginable luxury,
00:26one family stands above all others, casting a shadow so vast that even the combined fortunes
00:31of tech moguls like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos pale in comparison.
00:35The House of Saud, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, doesn't just own luxury.
00:40They embody it in every conceivable form, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 trillion
00:44that redefines what it means to live in absolute opulence.
00:48Nowhere is this wealth more magnificently displayed than in their palatial residences.
00:52Structures so grand and luxurious that they serve as monuments to the absolute power of
00:57money itself.
00:58In the heart of Riyadh's al-Hadda district stands a structure so magnificent, so overwhelmingly
01:03grand, that it serves as both the beating heart of Saudi governance and a testament to
01:07the limitless possibilities of extreme wealth.
01:10Al-Yammar Palace, spanning an incredible 4 million square feet, isn't just King Salman's
01:15official residence.
01:16It's a city within a city.
01:17A monument to luxury that makes even the most opulent western mansions look like modest
01:21cottages.
01:22Completed in 1988 during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, this architectural masterpiece
01:27was designed by the Saudi bin Laden group to reflect traditional Najdi architectural principles
01:33while incorporating every modern luxury imaginable.
01:36The palace's construction involved significant resources, leveraging Saudi Arabia's oil wealth
01:41to create a state-of-the-art facility that would project the kingdom's power and wealth
01:45on a global stage.
01:46Walking through its corridors is like stepping into a world where money is no object, and every
01:51detail has been crafted to perfection.
01:53The palace features Italian marble floors that stretch endlessly through its 1,000 rooms,
01:58each surface polished to mirror-like perfection, reflecting the intricately carved ceilings and
02:03gold leaf accents that adorn every space.
02:05The palace's architectural features combine geometric motifs and pointed arched windows in a relatively
02:11minimalist exterior that maintains grandeur while aligning with traditional Saudi aesthetics.
02:16But Al Yamama isn't just about aesthetic beauty. It's a fully functional palace complex that includes
02:21amenities most people can only dream of. The palace houses multiple swimming pools, a state-of-the-art
02:26cinema, a bowling alley, and even a private mosque. Every week this magnificent structure serves as the
02:31venue for government meetings where decisions affecting millions of lives are made in rooms decorated with
02:37the finest materials money can buy. The palace serves as headquarters of the Saudi royal court, where
02:42King Salman chairs weekly government meetings and issues royal decrees. The palace has welcomed some of
02:47the most powerful figures in modern history, including former US presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama, who
02:53walked through halls where every fixture represents craftsmanship and luxury at its absolute pinnacle.
02:58With an estimated value between $500 million and $1 billion, Al Yamama stands as perhaps the most expensive
03:05residential property in the world. The royal family's commitment to architectural grandeur extends to
03:10the legendary Erga Palace in central Riyadh, which has become synonymous with ostentatious decor
03:15and gilded magnificence. This palace serves as King Salman's secondary residence, used primarily for
03:20hosting dignitaries, government functions, and cultural events. The approach to Erga Palace is a
03:25theatrical experience in itself, a dramatic entrance lined with towering palm trees and cascading water
03:31fountains that announces to every visitor that they are entering a realm of unprecedented luxury.
03:36But it's the interior details that truly showcase the family's commitment to luxury without limits.
03:41When President Obama visited Erga Palace in 2015, international media were astounded to discover
03:47gold-plated Kleenex dispensers and chairs, fixtures so extravagant that they became symbols of the royal
03:53family's relationship with material excess. Every surface in Erga Palace seems to compete for attention.
03:58Italian marble walls feature intricate gilded mouldings, while rich silk carpets from the
04:03world's most prestigious workshops cover floors polished to perfection. The palace includes lavish
04:09banquet halls capable of hosting large delegations equipped with modern facilities to accommodate
04:14high-profile guests. With numerous portraits of King Salman adorning the walls, Erga Palace serves
04:20both as a retreat for the royal family and a venue for showcasing Saudi arts and customs to
04:25international audiences. The royal family's architectural ambitions reach beyond Saudi borders,
04:30most notably demonstrated through Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's acquisition of Chateau Louis XIV in
04:36Louvre-Siennes, France. Purchased for $301 million in 2015, this property holds the record as the world's
04:42most expensive residential property, representing a perfect fusion of 17th-century French classical architecture,
04:49with 21st century luxury technology. Built between 2008 and 2011 by developer Imad Khashoggi,
04:55through his company Kogumad, the chateau spans 7,000 square meters within a 57-acre landscaped estate.
05:02The construction employed over 120 specialists, many holding the prestigious French Entreprise
05:07du Patrimoine Vivant label, ensuring preservation of traditional craftsmanship techniques alongside
05:13cutting-edge technology integration. The chateau was built on the site of the former Chateau
05:18du Camp, a 19th-century structure that was demolished in 2008. The location historically
05:23consisted of chestnut groves and woodland, later used as a camp for royal guards during the early
05:2918th century. The construction used 1,000 cubic meters of stone and marble, with stonework including
05:35walls, floors, columns, balusters, cornices, and staircases, overseen by Louis-Joseph Lambert.
05:40The chateau features amenities that sound more like science fiction than reality, where smartphone
05:45controls operate everything from fountains to lighting systems. The crown jewel is an underwater
05:50meditation room within the estate's moat, featuring a transparent acrylic dome 11 feet tall and 16 feet
05:56in diameter with 2-inch thick panels, where visitors can observe koi and sturgeon swimming around the
06:02chamber. The chateau includes 10-bedroom suites for guests, each with luxurious finishes, a master
06:07apartment spanning 300 square meters on the first floor with four bedrooms and four marble bathrooms,
06:13plus an equal-sized guest space. Entertainment facilities encompass a private cinema, wine
06:18cellar storing up to 3,000 bottles, squash court, spa, nightclub, billiards room, and two swimming pools,
06:24one indoor with connecting outdoor heated basin accessible from a three-meter high terrace,
06:29and one outdoor with cabana and Corinthian columns. Additional features include a professional
06:34kitchen designed by Lacornu, garage accommodating eight vehicles and a 50 square meter safe room with
06:40two heavy armored doors. The estate includes a gold-leafed fountain. Of Apollo, replica of the
06:45one at Versailles, a four-meter-high Carrara marble statue of Louis XIV, marble statues along garden paths,
06:52hedged labyrinth and moats surrounding the property. The House of Souad's property portfolio extends across
06:57multiple continents, creating a global network of luxury retreats that demonstrates their international
07:03influence and taste for exclusive locations. In Morocco, King Salman maintains his 74-acre vacation
07:09palace near Cape Spartel above the beaches of Djibilia, representing one of the most exclusive coastal
07:14properties in North Africa. This Moroccan retreat gained international attention when King Salman's 2017 vacation
07:21reportedly cost $100 million and contributed 1.5% to Morocco's entire foreign tourism revenue.
07:28The palace underwent extensive renovations in 2016, including the addition of three helipads and a large tent,
07:34resembling a circus big top for entertaining guests, transforming it into a compound capable
07:39of hosting the King's massive entourage of over 1,000 people. The Moroccan palace is surrounded by a
07:45one 500-meter perimeter wall and staffed by 30 members of the Moroccan Royal Guard with surveillance
07:50cameras ensuring privacy and safety. The complex includes its own medical facilities and top-flight
07:56restaurant kitchens, producing dishes with imported ingredients like lobster, caviar and truffles.
08:01During royal visits, approximately 100-200 black Mercedes and Range Rovers are on standby to chauffeur
08:08the royal party around Tangier, while 800 hotel rooms are reserved for ministers, advisors and staff.
08:14In Spain, the family maintains their impressive Marmar Palace within the 200-acre Nachta complex in Marbella,
08:21a sprawling estate valued between $100 million and $300 million that stretches from the A7 Coastal Road
08:27to the El Paraiso Golf Course. Constructed in the 1980s during the reign of King Fard, the complex was
08:33designed as a luxurious summer residence, capitalizing on Marbella's status as an elite
08:38destination on the Costa del Sol. The estate is owned through two Panamanian companies, Asturian
08:43Foundation and Norista, controlled by a Luxembourg-based company, as revealed by the Panama Papers. In 2008,
08:50King Salman, through the Asturian Foundation, applied for planning permission to develop a luxury
08:54residential complex on adjacent land, including a six-star hotel and 1,477 homes in the Sanchez-Princess
09:02Luxury Residential Complex project, approved by Estepona Town Hall. The Spanish estate combines
09:08Mediterranean architecture with Arabic-inspired elements, featuring lush, manicured grounds with
09:13palm trees, gardens and scenic views of the Mediterranean coast and El Paraiso Golf Course proximity.
09:19The complex includes a yacht capable of sleeping 30 with a crew of over 20, moored in Marbella,
09:24indicating marine-based recreation facilities and high-end socializing capabilities.
09:29On the French Riviera, the family owns Villa Mirandole in Valory, near Cannes. Historically
09:34significant as the site where actress Rita Hayworth celebrated her marriage to Prince Ali Khan in 1949.
09:40Originally known as Chateau de l'Horizon, built in 1932 by American architect Barry Dirks,
09:46the villa was purchased in 1979 by then Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz and passed to King Salman upon his
09:52ascension. The villa is owned through a holding company based in Liechtenstein, ensuring privacy
09:57and complex financial management as revealed by the Panama Papers. This Art Deco-styled villa gained
10:03international notoriety in 2015 when King Salman constructed a private elevator and concrete platform
10:09directly to Mirandole Beach, temporarily closing public access and creating an international controversy.
10:15The modifications sparked significant local opposition, with Valéry's mayor Michel Salouki
10:20protesting to French President François Hollande, while residents launched petitions arguing the
10:25beach closure was unconstitutional. The villa's 2015 visit involved an exclusion zone of 985 feet
10:32around the villa and beach, with French police vans at the entrance and two police boats offshore.
10:37The property has also hosted notable figures like Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor before Saudi
10:42ownership, with Prince Ali Khan's body temporarily buried there after his 1960 car crash. Adding to
10:48the family's European holdings, there's Villa Ceriana in Castagneto Po, Turin, Italy, though this
10:53property is owned by Prince Al-Walid bin Talal al-Saud, King Salman's nephew, rather than the immediate
10:59royal family. Purchased in 2009 from the Bruni Tedeschi family, this neo-Gothic castle spans over 21,500
11:06square feet, set within a large park offering panoramic views of Turin and the Po valley. The
11:11villa, originally documented in 1019 and reconstructed between 1740 to 1835, features over 40 rooms with
11:19sumptuous interiors, including ancient boiseries, marquetry floors, hallway frescoes and majestic
11:24fireplaces. The property is recognized by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano as a historical site, with the park.
11:31Open for guided tours, though interior access remains restricted for privacy, the family also
11:36maintains additional international properties, including two stately homes in London connected
11:41to King Salman, with Prince Turki bin Salman guaranteeing a $35 million penthouse purchase
11:46near Westminster Abbey in 2014. These properties demonstrate the family's strategy of maintaining
11:52luxury bases throughout major global capitals, ensuring their extravagant lifestyle can be maintained
11:57regardless of travel destinations. When we examine the full scope of the House of Saud's property
12:02portfolio, we're looking at real estate holdings that rival the GDP of entire nations. Conservative
12:08estimates place their global property values at well over $2 billion, but this figure likely
12:13represents only a fraction of their true real estate wealth, as many properties are held through
12:17complex networks of shell companies and offshore entities designed to maintain privacy. The maintenance
12:23costs alone for these properties likely exceed the annual budgets of many corporations, with staff,
12:28security and upkeep requiring resources that most people cannot even comprehend, yet represent merely
12:33routine operational expenses for the world's wealthiest family. The ultimate in mobile luxury
12:40When the world's richest family takes to the seas, they don't simply sail, they command floating empires
12:45that redefine what it means to travel in luxury. The House of Saud's maritime fleet represents some of the most
12:51expensive and technologically advanced vessels ever constructed, each one a testament to the family's
12:56commitment to maintaining their extravagant lifestyle regardless of their location on earth. At the
13:01pinnacle of this magnificent fleet stands the TUEK, King Salman's personal yacht valued at $100 million.
13:07Built in 2006 by the renowned Dutch shipyard van der Giesen, this extraordinary vessel showcases
13:13exterior and interior design by Michael Leach Design, a UK-based studio specializing in bespoke superyachts.
13:20The TUEK represents King Salman's preference for traditional Arabian aesthetics, combined with
13:25cutting-edge marine technology featuring spacious guest cabins, dining areas, entertainment systems,
13:30a gym, pool, cinema and spa facilities. With annual running costs of approximately $10 million, this vessel
13:37provides insight into the staggering expenses required to maintain the royal family's maritime lifestyle,
13:42yet it serves exclusively for the kings. Personal use and is never available for charter, emphasizing its
13:48role as a private royal sanctuary on the seas. The official duties of the Saudi royal family are
13:53served by the magnificent Prince Abdulaziz, a 482-foot behemoth built in 1984 by Denmark's Helsinger Werft.
14:01Designed by Meyerform, this extraordinary vessel spans 147 meters in length with an 18.3-meter beam
14:08and gross tonnage of 4,620 tons. Powered by twin peel-stick diesel engines, the Prince Abdulaziz
14:14achieves a top speed of 22 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots, with a range suitable for
14:19long-distance state visits. The yacht can accommodate up to 64 guests in luxurious cabins,
14:25while requiring a crew of 60 to 100 members to maintain its operations. Beyond mere accommodation,
14:30this floating palace features multiple dining rooms, conference facilities, a private cinema,
14:35a mosque and extensive recreational areas, all designed with traditional Arabian craftsmanship,
14:40combined with advanced marine technology. The yacht includes at least one helipad for royal
14:45transport and advanced security systems, with secure communication capabilities,
14:50reflecting its use for official state functions and diplomatic missions.
14:53Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's personal maritime empire centers around the legendary Serene,
14:59a $400-550 million superyacht that has become one of the most recognizable symbols of his extravagant
15:05lifestyle. Originally built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, this 439-foot masterpiece represents
15:12the absolute pinnacle of maritime luxury engineering. The yacht features amenities that
15:16sound more like they belong in a luxury resort than on a seagoing vessel, including an internal sea
15:21water pool, two helipads, a snow room for winter sports enthusiasts, children's playrooms and an underwater
15:27viewing room where guests can observe marine life through floor-to-ceiling windows. Perhaps most
15:32significantly, the Serene reportedly houses Leonardo da Vinci's $450 million Salvatore Mundi painting,
15:38making it possibly the most expensive mobile art gallery in human history. The Royal Fleet
15:43extends to the impressive Al Salama, a 139.3-metre superyacht built by Germany's LĂĽrssen shipyard
15:50in 1999. This vessel, designed by Terence Disdale and valued at approximately $200 million, showcases a
15:56beam of 23.5 metres and gross tonnage of 12,234 tonnes. Powered by twin diesel engines offering
16:04a top speed of 21 knots and cruising speed of 17 knots, the Al Salama boasts a range of over 6,000.
16:11Nautical miles suitable for transoceanic voyages, the yacht can host up to 40 guests in 22 cabins with
16:17space for 94 crew members, featuring a large swimming pool, spa, gym, cinema, multiple dining areas, glass-bottomed
16:24observation deck and hospital-grade medical facility. Equipped with two helipads and a
16:28submarine hangar, the Al Salama represents one of the most versatile and technologically advanced
16:33yachts in the global fleet. While their yachts command the seas, the House of Saud's aviation
16:38fleet rules the skies with aircraft that make commercial first-class travel appear modest by
16:42comparison. The centrepiece of this aerial empire is King Salman's Boeing 747BBJ, registration HZHM1,
16:50a flying palace valued at approximately $200 to $250 million, including extensive customisations.
16:57Built in 2001, this aircraft spans 70.6 metres in length, with a 59.6 metre wingspan,
17:04capable of covering up to 8,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of Mach 0.82. The aircraft's
17:10interior has been completely redesigned to include private bedrooms, dining rooms, conference rooms,
17:15and entertainment systems, all decorated with luxurious materials including leather,
17:20wood panelling and gold accents. The aircraft is configured for 25, 50 passengers with a crew of 10,
17:2615 featuring high-definition entertainment systems, satellite communication, anti-missile defences and
17:32encrypted communications typical for Royal aircraft. The Royal aviation fleet includes two additional Boeing
17:38747 BBJs that serve as backup aircraft or for use by other senior Royals. The HZHM1A, built in 1983,
17:47maintains similar luxury standards with a range of 7,000, 7,500 nautical miles and cruising speed of
17:53Mach 0.80, configured for 20, 40 passengers. Despite its age, regular refits ensure it maintains modern luxury
18:01and operational standards. The oldest aircraft, HZHM1B from 1979, serves as a secondary aircraft with a
18:08range of 6,500, 7,000 nautical miles, featuring opulent interiors with private cabins, dining areas
18:15and conference rooms, though potentially less advanced than newer jets due to its vintage. Beyond
18:20passenger aircraft, the Saudi Royal flight includes several Airbus aircraft and at least two Boeing 747
18:27freighters dedicated to the massive logistical requirements of Royal travel. The Airbus jets,
18:31with typical ranges of 6,000, 8,000 nautical miles, feature custom interiors with private suites,
18:37dining areas and conference rooms configured for 20, 50 passengers. The Boeing 747 freighters,
18:44with approximately 4,000, 5,000 nautical mile range when fully loaded, focus on cargo capacity for
18:50transporting vehicles, equipment and supplies, with minimal passenger accommodations but essential for
18:55supporting royal entourages that can exceed 1,000 people. The House of Saud's automotive collections
19:01represent rolling sculptures of engineering excellence and artistic achievement. Crown Prince
19:06Mohammed bin Salman's garage showcases a $3 million Bugatti Chiron, one of the world's most exclusive
19:12hypercars powered by an 8.0 litre W16 quad turbocharged engine producing 1,479 horsepower. This
19:20mechanical masterpiece achieves a top speed of 261 miles per hour with acceleration from 0 to 60
19:27miles per hour in just 2.4 seconds, representing the absolute pinnacle of automotive engineering,
19:32combined with luxury craftsmanship that transforms transportation into art. The Crown Prince's
19:38collection also includes a McLaren P1 valued at approximately $1.5 million, a hybrid hypercar combining
19:45a 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 with an electric motor producing 903 combined horsepower. This technological
19:52marvel reaches a top speed of 217 miles per hour with acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8
19:58seconds, featuring Formula One inspired engineering and advanced hybrid technology that represents the
20:04cutting edge of automotive innovation. MBS also owns multiple Ferraris, including potentially a LaFerrari,
20:10featuring a 6.3 litre V12 with hybrid system producing 949 combined horsepower, capable of
20:17217 miles per hour top speed with sub 3 seconds 0, 60 acceleration. Additionally,
20:23his collection includes Lamborghini Aventadors powered by 6.5 litre V12 engines producing 740
20:30horsepower, achieving 217 miles per hour top speeds with 2.8 seconds 0, 60 acceleration times. The Royal
20:38automotive passion extends to luxury sedans and SUVs with multiple Rolls-Royce Phantoms featuring 6.75
20:45litre V12 engines producing 563 horsepower. These vehicles valued at approximately $500,000 each
20:53showcase handcrafted interiors with bespoke customization options and the signature magic
20:58carpet ride quality that makes them preferred transportation for heads of state worldwide.
21:03Perhaps most symbolic of the family's approach to automotive luxury is Saudi billionaire
21:07Turkey Bin Abdullah's complete automotive collection valued at $22 million. The centerpiece is his
21:13gold-plated Lamborghini Aventador SV valued at $1.2 million, a transformation that takes an already
21:19exclusive supercar and elevates it into a rolling statement of wealth so extreme that it challenges
21:25conventional automotive design. His collection also includes a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, Mercedes-Benz G
21:31class and Bentley, each serving different purposes from making bold statements to dignified transport
21:36to versatile luxury. When we examine the full scope of the House of Saud's mobile luxury assets,
21:42their yachts, aircraft and automotive collections, we're looking at investments that total well over
21:46$2 billion in purchase prices alone. The annual operating expenses for maintaining this fleet likely
21:52exceeds the GDP of many small nations, with yacht maintenance costs reaching $15 to $20 million annually
21:59per vessel, while the Boeing 747 fleet requires specialized crews, maintenance facilities, fuel and storage
22:06creating operational costs that demonstrate how the House of Saud's wealth operates on a scale entirely
22:11separate from conventional economic reality. Empire of Influence, Vision 2030 Global Investments and the
22:17Future of Saudi Wealth The true magnitude of the House of Saud's financial empire becomes apparent
22:23when we examine their position relative to other wealthy families worldwide, revealing a level of wealth
22:28concentration that exists in a category entirely its own. To understand just how extraordinary their
22:34$1.4 trillion net worth truly is, we must compare it against the fortunes that typically capture global
22:40attention. Elon Musk, despite being the world's richest individual with a net worth of $313 billion,
22:46possesses less than one-fourth of the House of Saud's wealth. Even when combined with Jeff Bezos and other
22:51tech moguls, their combined fortune still falls significantly short of the Saudi royal family's total assets.
22:57This comparison illustrates how the House of Saud's control over state resources, particularly through
23:02Saudi Aramco, creates wealth on a scale that individual entrepreneurship cannot match. Among other
23:08royal families, the disparity becomes even more dramatic. Kuwait's Al-Sabah family, with an estimated
23:14net worth of $360 billion, represents less than one-fourth of the House of Saud's wealth, despite controlling
23:20significant oil reserves through the Kuwait Investment Authority. Qatar's House of Thani, valued at $120 to $150
23:28billion, and the UAE's Al-Nahyan family at $150 billion, demonstrate that even among oil-rich Middle Eastern
23:35monarchies, the House of Saud operates on an entirely different scale. The comparison with established Western
23:41wealth reveals perhaps the most striking disparities. The British royal family's estimated net worth of $88
23:47billion makes the House of Saud approximately 16 times wealthier than the British monarchy, despite
23:53the latter centuries of accumulated wealth and global historical influence, even America's wealthiest
23:58family. The Waltons, with their $267 billion Walmart fortune, represents less than one-fifth of the House of
24:05Saud's total wealth. The foundation of this unprecedented wealth rests primarily on Saudi Arabia's control of
24:12one-fifth of the world's proven petroleum reserves, managed through Saudi Aramco, which maintains a
24:17market capitalization of $1.8 trillion as of 2024. This single entity generates revenues that dwarf most
24:24national economies, with the House of Saud receiving both direct payments and indirect benefits through
24:30state spending and infrastructure development. The family's wealth structure differs fundamentally from
24:35private fortunes in that it represents a fusion of personal and state assets, where approximately
24:4015,000 family members share in the wealth, with the core 2,000 members controlling the majority of
24:46assets. The Public Investment Fund, PIF, which has grown from $84 billion in 2014 to $925 billion in
24:542024, represents Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's primary vehicle for global wealth expansion.
25:00Under his direct control, the PIF has become one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds,
25:05with investments spanning every major industry and geographic market.
25:08The fund's technology investments include a 5% stake in Uber valued at $3.5 billion,
25:14significant investments in SoftBank's Vision Fund and stakes in companies developing artificial
25:19intelligence, autonomous vehicles and other next-generation technologies. The PIF's sports
25:24investments have gained particular visibility through the $408 million acquisition of Newcastle United
25:30and the creation of Live Golf, which has challenged traditional golf establishments with
25:34unprecedented prize money and player contracts. These investments represent strategic soft power
25:39projections designed to normalize Saudi Arabia's global presence, while potentially generating substantial
25:45returns. The fund's ambitious goal of reaching $2 trillion in assets by 2030 would make it larger than
25:51many national economies, and position it as perhaps the most influential investment vehicle in global markets,
25:56at the heart of the House of Saud's future wealth. Strategy lies Vision 2030,
26:02Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's $500 billion comprehensive plan to diversify
26:06Saudi Arabia's oil-dependent economy and modernize its society. This isn't simply a government initiative,
26:12it's a personal crusade by MBS to reshape not just Saudi Arabia's economy, but its entire cultural and social landscape,
26:19using the immense wealth of the House of Saud as the primary catalyst for change. Neom represents the
26:25most ambitious component of this transformation, originally envisioned as a 105-mile linear city
26:31called The Line, but scaled back to more realistic proportions while maintaining its status as one of
26:36the largest single investments in human history. The project showcases technologies that don't yet exist
26:42anywhere else on Earth, including flying taxis, an artificial moon, and completely automated urban
26:47systems that would make the city a living laboratory for future urban development. Kidia,
26:52planned as an entertainment hub larger than Disney World, aims to attract 17 million visitors annually,
26:57and position Saudi Arabia as a global destination for tourism and entertainment. This represents a
27:03fundamental cultural shift for a kingdom that, until recently, had very limited entertainment options
27:08and restricted social activities. The Red Sea Project, a luxury ecotourism destination spread across 90
27:14islands, will compete directly with established luxury resort destinations in the Caribbean and
27:19Mediterranean. The success rate of Vision 2030 has been remarkable, with 85% of initiatives reportedly on
27:26track by 2024, and tourism surpassing 100 million annual visitors, an extraordinary achievement for a
27:32country that had virtually no tourism industry just a decade earlier. The family's cultural investments have
27:38evolved into sophisticated soft power strategies, exemplified by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's
27:43450.3 million dollar purchase of Leonardo da Vinci's Salvatore Mundi, which set the record as the most
27:50expensive painting ever sold at auction. This acquisition represents more than art collecting.
27:54It's a statement of cultural ambition and global influence designed to position Saudi Arabia as a
28:00serious player in international cultural markets. The broader Royal Art Collection reportedly includes works by
28:06Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons, and Takashi Murakami, while the MISC Art Institute promotes Saudi and international
28:12artists supporting events like the 2139 Inches Festival in Jeddah. These cultural investments align with
28:18Vision 2030's strategy to transform Saudi Arabia into a global cultural destination, using art and
28:24entertainment as vehicles for economic diversification and international engagement. Infrastructure
28:30development represents another massive investment category, with projects like King Salman Park in
28:35Riyadh spanning over 16 square kilometers, and featuring the Royal Arts Complex designed to house 500,000
28:41square meters of cultural facilities. This complex will include a Museum of World Cultures housed in a 110
28:47meter high pyramid structure, a two 300-seat national theatre, and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts with
28:53three specialized academies. These investments transform Riyadh into a global cultural destination while creating
28:59employment opportunities for thousands of Saudis. The King Salman bin Abdulaziz's Royal Reserve,
29:05covering 130,700 square kilometers, represents the largest nature reserve in Saudi Arabia and
29:11demonstrates how the family's wealth is being deployed for environmental conservation and cultural
29:15preservation. The reserve protects archaeological sites dating back 1.3 million years while supporting
29:21ecotourism initiatives that align with Vision 2030's sustainability goals. The Al Yula Cultural Development
29:28project showcases how the House of Saud integrates historical preservation with luxury tourism development.
29:34The transformation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the construction of galleries potentially
29:39designed to house the Salvatore Mundi painting, along with luxury resorts and cultural festivals that
29:44attract international visitors while preserving the region's ancient Nabatean heritage. Beyond these headline
29:50projects, the family's wealth supports countless smaller but significant investments across Saudi society.
29:56The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhammam, a $400 million cultural complex designed by Snohetta,
30:02hosts international art exhibitions and educational programs while serving as a symbol of Saudi Arabia's
30:08cultural modernization. The House of Saud doesn't simply possess wealth, they have become wealth personified,
30:14a living demonstration of what becomes possible when financial resources reach levels that most
30:19of humanity can barely comprehend. Like this video? Don't forget to explore more similar content
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