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Inside the Secret Life of Saudi Arabia’s Richest Man
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00:00Forget billionaire wives dripping in diamonds. King Salman's wife plays in an entirely different
00:05league. With access to a staggering $1.4 trillion fortune, her world is filled with palaces that
00:10make Versailles look like a vacation rental, private jets that put billionaires' toys to
00:15shame, and even a son casually dropping millions on yachts. Let's dig into it.
00:19The Desert Rose Who Married Into Trillions
00:21Princess Fahda bint Fala al-Hithlain didn't start life expecting to become arguably the
00:27most financially powerful woman on earth. Born into the prominent al-Ajman tribe, her lineage
00:32traces back to tribal leaders Raikhan bin Hithlain and Daydan bin Hithlain, giving her a pedigree
00:38that would prove strategically invaluable. But here's where the story gets deliciously ironic.
00:43This woman from Bedouin traditions would eventually have access to wealth that makes tech billionaires
00:48look like they're shopping at discount stores. The marriage to King Salman in 1984 wasn't just
00:53a union of hearts. It was a masterclass in strategic alliance building. The al-Ajman tribe's connection
00:59to the al-Saud family strengthened political and social bonds within the kingdom. Because in Saudi
01:04Arabia, marriages aren't just about love. They're about consolidating power structures that would
01:09make Machiavelli weep with admiration. What makes Fahda's story particularly fascinating is how she
01:15transformed from tribal princess to the mother of six sons who would reshape the Middle East.
01:20Her eldest, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, isn't just heir to the throne. He's the architect of
01:26Saudi Vision 2030, controlling investments that dwarf entire national economies. Her second son,
01:32Prince Turkey, served as chairman of Saudi Research and Marketing Group, while Prince Khalid holds the
01:37position of Minister of Defense. It's like she didn't just win the maternal lottery, she cornered the
01:42entire market. The scale of wealth Fahda has access to is almost comedically overwhelming.
01:47The House of Saud's collective net worth of $1.4 trillion makes them wealthier than entire G20
01:53nations. To put this in perspective, if you combine the fortunes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates,
02:00you'd still be looking at less than half of what this family controls. It's the kind of wealth that
02:05doesn't just buy luxury, it creates entire industries around luxury. Fahda's discreet yet powerful influence
02:11operates through what we might call the invisible hand of infinite resources. While she maintains a low
02:17public profile typical of Saudi royal women, her role as councillor to both King Salman and Crown Prince
02:23Mohammed bin Salman positions her at the epicenter of decisions affecting global oil markets, international
02:29diplomacy and economic policies that ripple through every major financial center on earth. The family's
02:35primary wealth source, Saudi Aramco, with its $1.8 trillion market capitalization, essentially makes
02:41them the landlords of one-fifth of the world's proven petroleum reserves. When your husband controls
02:46the company that could single-handedly shift global energy prices, you're not just wealthy, you're
02:51operating in a category of influence that transcends normal concepts of money. What's particularly amusing
02:57about Fahda's wealth position is how it makes other rich wives look quaint by comparison. While Western media
03:03celebrates billionaire spouses, Fahda has access to resources that could fund space programs, reshape entire
03:09cities or solve humanitarian crises as weekend hobbies. Her philanthropic activities in women's education and
03:15healthcare aren't just charity work. They're nation-building exercises disguised as good deeds. The Al-Yamama Palace
03:21spanning 4 million square feet serves as the family's primary residence, featuring amenities that would make
03:27luxury resort owners question their life choices. With 1,000 rooms, Italian marble floors, gold
03:33leaf accents, multiple swimming pools, a state-of-the-art cinema, bowling alley and private mosque, it's not just a
03:39home. It's a small city where every fixture represents craftsmanship at its absolute pinnacle. But Fahda's true
03:45genius lies in how she leveraged her position as mother to crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As the de facto
03:51ruler of Saudi Arabia, MBS controls not just traditional royal wealth, but also modern investment vehicles like the
03:57Public Investment Fund, which has grown from $84 billion in 2014 to $925 billion in 2024. This means Fahda's
04:06influence extends through one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, with investments spanning
04:11technology, entertainment, sports and virtually every major industry. Her son's business ventures create additional
04:17layers of wealth that most people can't even conceptualize. From Prince Turkey's media empire to Prince Khalid's
04:23defense ministry connections, the family operates like a diversified conglomerate, where each member
04:29controls resources that would rank them among the world's wealthiest individuals. It's generational wealth
04:34planning executed at a scale that makes traditional dynasty building look like child's play. The irony is
04:40delicious. While the world obsesses over tech moguls and their billions, Fahda operates in a realm where
04:46King Salman's personal net worth of $18 billion represents just a fraction of the family's total holdings.
04:52She's not just the richest wife in the world, she's potentially the most financially influential woman in
04:57human history, and she's done it all while maintaining the discretion that would make Swiss bankers envious.
05:02As impressive as Fahda's financial position might be, it's her taste in real estate that truly demonstrates
05:08what happens when unlimited resources meet impeccable standards. Her property portfolio doesn't just span
05:14continents, it redefines luxury living on a global scale. Palaces, chateaux, and the art of living without limits.
05:22If you thought billionaire real estate was impressive, wait until you see what happens when someone has access to
05:27wealth that makes billionaires look like their window shopping. Princess Fahda's property portfolio reads like a
05:33fantasy novel written by someone with unlimited imagination and an even more unlimited bank account.
05:39Let's start with her al-Sulaimaniya palace in Tangier, Morocco, because nothing says casual vacation home
05:45quite like owning a renovated palace in the coastal area of Jabila. When Fahda decided to take a little getaway
05:51in August 2023, she didn't book a luxury resort, she renovated her own palace instead. The arrival required Saudi
05:58palace officials, private guards, royal court members, and princesses from the UAE and Kuwait joining her,
06:04because apparently even vacation time requires a diplomatic summit. The scale of this Moroccan retreat
06:10becomes clear when you consider that King Salman's previous vacation there reportedly cost $100 million
06:16and contributed 1.5% to Morocco's entire foreign tourism revenue. This isn't just wealthy, this is, I accidentally
06:24boosted an entire country's economy by going on vacation wealthy. The palace underwent extensive renovations
06:30including three helipads and a large tent resembling a circus big top, because why have regular entertainment
06:35when you can have entertainment that requires air traffic control? The property sits on 74 acres above
06:41the beaches of Jubilia, surrounded by a one 500-meter perimeter wall and staffed by 30 members of the
06:47Moroccan Royal Guard. When you need a small army just to maintain vacation home security, you've clearly transcended
06:53normal concepts of property ownership. The complex includes its own medical facilities and restaurant
06:58kitchens producing dishes with imported ingredients like lobster, caviar and truffles, because apparently
07:03room service at a regular five-star resort just doesn't cut it when you're operating at this level.
07:08But Farda's property portfolio extends far beyond Morocco, creating a global network that would make
07:14international real estate moguls weep with envy. The family maintains the legendary Erga Palace in central Riyadh,
07:20which serves as King Salman's secondary residence, and features décor so ostentatious it made
07:26international headlines. When President Obama visited in 2015, media discovered gold-plated
07:32Kleenex dispensers and chairs, because apparently regular tissue dispensers are for peasants. The
07:37approach to Erga Palace reads like architectural theatre, dramatic entrance lined with towering palm trees
07:42and cascading water fountains that announce to every visitor they're entering a realm where money has
07:47transcended its normal limitations. Inside, Italian marble walls feature intricate gilded mouldings,
07:53while rich silk carpets from the world's most prestigious workshops cover floors polished to
07:58mirror perfection. The crown jewel of the family's international holdings is Crown Prince
08:02Mohammed bin Salman's Chateau Louis XIV in Louveciennes, France, purchased for $301 million in 2015.
08:09This property holds the record as the world's most expensive residential property, which is precisely the
08:16kind of record that makes perfect sense when your family wealth operates in trillions.
08:20Built between 2008 and 2011, the Chateau represents a perfect fusion of 17th century French classical
08:27architecture, with 21th century luxury technology that sounds more like science fiction than real estate.
08:33The Chateau spans 7,000 square metres within a 57-acre landscaped estate, employing over 120 specialists,
08:41many holding the prestigious French Entreprise du patrimoine vivant label to ensure preservation
08:46of traditional craftsmanship alongside cutting-edge technology. The construction used 1,000 cubic metres
08:52of stone and marble, because when you're building the world's most expensive home, you don't scrimp on
08:57materials. The Chateau features amenities that make luxury hotels look modest by comparison.
09:02Smartphone controls operate everything from fountains to lighting systems.
09:06While the Crown Jewel is an underwater meditation room within the estate's moat, featuring a transparent
09:11acrylic dome where visitors can observe koi and sturgeon swimming around the chamber.
09:15It's the kind of feature that makes you wonder if the architect was trying to one-up Atlantis.
09:20The property includes ten bedroom suites for guests, a master apartment spanning 300 square metres
09:26with four bedrooms and four marble bathrooms, plus entertainment facilities that read like a luxury
09:31resort catalogue, private cinema, wine cellar storing up to 3,000 bottles, squash court, spa,
09:38nightclub, billiards room, and two swimming pools. Because apparently when you're spending $301
09:43million on a house, you need enough amenities to justify never leaving. The estate includes a gold-leafed
09:48fountain of Apollo, replica of the one at Versailles, and a four-metre high Carrara marble statue of Louis the 14th.
09:54Because subtlety is clearly overrated when you're operating at this level of wealth.
09:59The landscaping features marble statues along garden paths, hedged labyrinth and moats surrounding the property,
10:05creating an environment where every detail screams money is absolutely no object.
10:09In Spain, the family maintains their Marmar Palace within the 200-acre Nada complex in Marbella, valued between
10:16$100 million and $300 million, that stretches from the A7 coastal road to the El Paraiso golf course.
10:23The estate combines Mediterranean architecture with Arabic-inspired elements, featuring lush grounds with palm trees,
10:29gardens, and scenic views that make the French Riviera look quaint by comparison.
10:34On the actual French Riviera, the family owns Villa Mirandol in Valory, near Cannes,
10:39historically significant as the site where actress Rita Hayworth celebrated her marriage to Prince Ali Khan in 1949.
10:46This Art Deco-styled villa gained international notoriety in 2015 when King Salman constructed a private elevator
10:53and concrete platform directly to Mirandol Beach, temporarily closing public access and creating international controversy,
10:59because apparently regular beach access is for regular people.
11:02When we examine the full scope of this property portfolio, we're looking at real estate holdings that rival the GDP of entire nations.
11:09Conservative estimates place their global property values at well over $2 billion,
11:14but this figure likely represents only a fraction of their true real estate wealth,
11:18as many properties are held through complex networks of shell companies and offshore entities designed to maintain privacy.
11:24The maintenance costs alone for these properties likely exceed the annual budgets of many corporations,
11:30with staff, security, and upkeep requiring resources that most people cannot even comprehend,
11:35yet represent merely routine operational expenses for the world's wealthiest family.
11:40But impressive as these stationary palaces might be,
11:43Fahda's mobile luxury assets demonstrate what happens when unlimited resources meet the desire to travel in absolute comfort.
11:51Flying palaces, floating cities, and golden wheels.
11:55When Princess Fahda decides to travel, she doesn't book first-class tickets or charter private jets like mere billionaires.
12:01She commands a mobile luxury empire that transforms the very concepts of transportation, hospitality, and excess into an art form that would make ancient emperors weep with envy.
12:11The philosophy behind royal transportation extends beyond luxury into strategic mobility.
12:16When your family controls critical global resources and maintains diplomatic relationships across dozens of countries,
12:22transportation becomes a tool of statecraft.
12:25Each vessel and aircraft serves as a mobile embassy, equipped with communication systems, security capabilities, and hospitality facilities that allow for conducting international business regardless of geographic location.
12:38The logistical complexity of royal travel creates an entire shadow economy of specialized service providers.
12:44From marine engineering firms that maintain yacht propulsion systems to aviation companies that provide diplomatic flight clearances,
12:50the Royal Transportation Network supports thousands of jobs across multiple industries and countries.
12:56This ecosystem of expertise represents one of the world's most sophisticated private logistics operations.
13:02The Royal Family's maritime fleet begins with King Salman's personal yacht, Tuek, valued at $100 million.
13:09Built in 2006 by the renowned Dutch shipyard van der Giesen,
13:12this extraordinary vessel showcases exterior and interior design by Michael Leach design,
13:17featuring amenities that make luxury cruise ships look like rowboats.
13:21With annual running costs of approximately $10 million,
13:24maintaining this floating palace costs more than most people's lifetime earnings,
13:28yet it serves exclusively for the King's personal use and is never available for charter,
13:33because sharing luxury is apparently not in the Saudi royal vocabulary.
13:37The 2X design.
13:38Philosophy emphasizes understated elegance over ostentatious display,
13:42reflecting King Salman's preference for sophisticated luxury that impresses through quality rather than flash.
13:48The yacht's interior features custom-designed furniture created by European master craftsmen,
13:53with each piece representing months of specialized labor.
13:56The vessel's art collection includes works by contemporary Middle Eastern artists,
14:00creating a floating cultural exhibition that travels international waters.
14:04The yacht's operational capabilities extend far beyond recreation.
14:08Advanced satellite communication systems allow for secure international conference calls,
14:13while the onboard medical facility can handle emergency medical situations that might arise during extended sea voyages.
14:20The vessel's security systems incorporate military-grade technology,
14:24ensuring that royal occupants remain protected in international waters where territorial sovereignty becomes complex.
14:30But the Tuek is practically modest compared to the Prince Abdulaziz,
14:34a 482-foot behemoth built in 1984 that serves the official duties of the Saudi royal family.
14:41This extraordinary vessel spans 147 meters in length with gross tonnage of 4,620 tons,
14:48capable of accommodating up to 64 guests in luxurious cabins while requiring a crew of 60 to 100 members.
14:55The yacht features multiple dining rooms, conference facilities, a private cinema, a mosque, and extensive recreational areas,
15:02because apparently conducting diplomacy requires the same amenities as running a small city.
15:07The Prince Abdulaziz represents more than luxury accommodation.
15:10It functions as a floating diplomatic platform capable of hosting international summits in neutral waters.
15:16The yacht's conference facilities feature translation equipment for multilingual negotiations,
15:21while its communication systems provide encrypted connections to global political and business networks.
15:26The vessel's ability to anchor in international waters creates opportunities for conducting sensitive negotiations outside traditional diplomatic protocols.
15:35Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's personal maritime empire centers around the legendary Serene,
15:41a $400 to $550 million superyacht that has become one of the most recognizable symbols of his extravagant lifestyle.
15:48This 439-foot masterpiece features amenities that sound like they belong in a luxury resort rather than on a seagoing vessel,
15:55including an internal seawater pool, two helipads, a snow room for winter sports,
16:00enthusiasts' children's playrooms, and an underwater viewing room where guests can observe marine life through floor-to-ceiling windows.
16:07Perhaps most significantly, the Serene reportedly houses Leonardo da Vinci's $450 million Salvatore Mundi painting,
16:14making it possibly the most expensive mobile art gallery in human history.
16:19It's the kind of detail that transforms a yacht from mere luxury transportation into a floating museum worth more than most countries' annual cultural budgets.
16:27The Royal Fleet extends to the impressive Al Salamar, a 139.3-metre superyacht built by Germany's Lursen Shipyard in 1999,
16:36valued at approximately $200 million with a gross tonnage of 12,234 tonnes.
16:42This vessel can host up to 40 guests in 22 cabins with space for 94 crew members, featuring amenities that read like a luxury resort catalogue.
16:51Large swimming pools, spa, gym, cinema, multiple dining areas, glass-bottomed observation deck and hospital-grade medical facility.
16:58Because apparently, when you're floating around international waters, you need the same medical capabilities as a small hospital.
17:04While their yachts command the seas, the House of Saud's aviation fleet rules the skies with aircraft that make commercial first-class travel appear like public transportation.
17:13The centerpiece is King Salman's Boeing 747 BBJ, valued at approximately $200 to $250 million, including extensive customizations.
17:22Built in 2001, this flying palace spans 70.6 metres in length with a 59.6-metre wingspan,
17:29capable of covering up to 8,000 nautical miles at cruising speeds that make international travel feel like domestic flights.
17:36The aircraft's interior has been completely redesigned to include private bedrooms, dining rooms, conference rooms and entertainment systems,
17:43all decorated with luxurious materials including leather, wood panelling and gold accents.
17:48It's configured for 25, 50 passengers with a crew of 10, 15, featuring high-definition entertainment systems,
17:55satellite communication, anti-missile defenses and encrypted communications,
18:00because apparently flying commercially is both inconvenient and insufficiently secure when you control one-fifth of the world's oil reserves.
18:07The Royal Aviation Fleet includes two additional Boeing 747 BBJs that serve as backup aircraft,
18:14because having just one flying palace is apparently insufficient for proper royal travel.
18:19These aircraft maintain similar luxury standards with ranges of 6,500, 7,500 nautical miles, ensuring that no destination on Earth is beyond comfortable reach.
18:30Beyond passenger aircraft, the Saudi Royal Flight includes several Airbus aircraft and at least two Boeing 747 freighters dedicated to the massive logistical requirements of royal travel.
18:41When your entourage can exceed 1,000 people, you don't just need passenger capacity.
18:46You need cargo capability that can transport vehicles, equipment and supplies to support what essentially amounts to a mobile city.
18:53The House of Saud's automotive collections represent rolling sculptures that transform transportation into art exhibitions.
19:00Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's garage showcases a $3 million Bugatti Chiron,
19:05one of the world's most exclusive hypercars powered by an 8.0 litre W16 quad turbocharged engine, producing 1,479 horsepower.
19:14This mechanical masterpiece achieves a top speed of 261 miles per hour,
19:19with acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 2.4 seconds, representing automotive engineering at its absolute pinnacle.
19:27The Crown Prince's collection also includes a McLaren P1 valued at approximately $1.5 million,
19:33a hybrid hypercar combining a 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 with an electric motor producing 903 combined horsepower.
19:41This technological marvel reaches a top speed of 217 miles per hour, featuring Formula One-inspired engineering that makes regular luxury cars look like golf carts.
19:51MBS also owns multiple Ferraris, including potentially a LaFerrari featuring a 6.3 litre V12,
19:57with hybrid system producing 949 combined horsepower, plus Lamborghini Aventadors powered by 6.5 litre V12 engines producing 740 horsepower.
20:08It's a collection that reads like a supercar manufacturer's greatest hits album, except these aren't display pieces, they're actual transportation options.
20:16The Royal Automotive passion extends to luxury sedans, with multiple Rolls-Royce Phantoms featuring 6.75 litre V12 engines and handcrafted interiors with bespoke customization options.
20:28At approximately $500,000 each, these vehicles showcase the signature magic carpet ride quality that makes them preferred transportation for heads of state worldwide.
20:38Perhaps most symbolic of the family's approach to automotive luxury is Saudi billionaire Turkey Bin Abdullah's complete automotive collection, valued at $22 million.
20:47The centerpiece is his gold-plated Lamborghini Aventador SV, valued at $1.2 million,
20:53a transformation that takes an already exclusive supercar and elevates it into a rolling statement of wealth so extreme that it challenges conventional automotive design philosophy.
21:02When we examine the full scope of the House of Saud's mobile luxury assets, yachts, aircraft and automotive collections,
21:09we're looking at investments that total well over $2 billion in purchase prices alone.
21:14The annual operating expenses for maintaining this fleet likely exceed the GDP of many small nations,
21:20with yacht maintenance costs reaching $15 to $20 million annually per vessel, while the Boeing 747 fleet requires specialized crews, maintenance facilities,
21:30fuel and storage creating operational costs that demonstrate how Princess Fahda's accessible wealth operates on a scale entirely separate from conventional economic reality.
21:39The logistical complexity of maintaining these mobile assets creates an entire ecosystem of employment and expertise.
21:46Each yacht requires specialized marine engineers, interior designers, security specialists and culinary teams that represent the pinnacle of their respective fields.
21:55The aviation fleet demands certified pilots with royal protocol training, maintenance crews familiar with customized aircraft systems and ground support teams at airports worldwide.
22:05This infrastructure represents not just luxury, but a mobile empire that can deploy anywhere on earth with capabilities that rival government operations.
22:13But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Princess Fahda's position isn't just her access to these mind-boggling luxury assets,
22:20it's how she's leveraged her influence to shape not just her family's wealth,
22:24but entire industries through strategic cultural investments and philanthropic initiatives that operate on scales that make traditional charitable giving look like pocket change.
22:34Her support for educational institutions, healthcare facilities and women's empowerment programs creates ripple effects across Saudi society,
22:42while simultaneously reinforcing the royal family's legitimacy and influence.
22:46The family's mobile luxury assets also serve strategic diplomatic purposes,
22:51with royal yachts and aircraft facilitating high-level meetings, cultural exchanges and business negotiations that shape international relations.
22:59When Princess Fahda travels, she's not just moving between luxury destinations,
23:03she's projecting Saudi influence, facilitating economic partnerships and demonstrating the kingdom's technological capabilities to global audiences
23:11who understand that this level of luxury requires extraordinary organizational competence.
23:16So there you have it, Princess Fahda bint Fala al-Hithlan, the woman who redefined what it means to be wealthy beyond comprehension.
23:24From her humble Bedouin beginnings to commanding access to a $1.4 trillion empire,
23:29she's proven that sometimes the most powerful people are those who operate behind the scenes.
23:33While billionaires make headlines with their latest acquisitions, Fahda quietly influences decisions that shape global economies,
23:40her family's mobile palaces traverse international waters and her property portfolio spans continents like a real-life game of Monopoly,
23:47where someone actually owns everything.
23:49Her story isn't just about astronomical wealth, it's about strategic brilliance, maternal influence and the art of wielding power through discretion rather than spectacle.
23:57When your vacation accidentally boosts an entire country's tourism revenue and your son's yacht doubles as the world's most expensive art gallery,
24:05you've transcended normal concepts of luxury into something approaching mythology.
24:09Princess Fahda has mastered the ultimate flex, being so wealthy that most people don't even know her name,
24:15while every major decision affecting global markets potentially passes through her advisory influence.
24:20She's not just the richest wife in the world, she's operating in a category that makes other wealthy spouses look like they're playing with pocket change.
24:27Thanks for joining us, until next time keep chasing the sparkle.
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