The Crown Prince MBS, intent on building the futuristic $1.5 trillion Neom City into a jaw-dropping reality, had humble beginnings by royal standards. Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest royals today, his early years were far from princely. Whether it was a rude awakening or the spark that ignited his drive for a multibillion fortune, much of Prince Mohammed’s life saw his branch of the family considerably less wealthy than others.
His father, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz (he is know the King), served as Riyadh’s governor for 50 years, receiving a generous monthly stipend from his brother, King Abdullah. However, this income was mostly consumed by palace expenses, staff salaries, and the upkeep of a royal lifestyle. It must have been a shock for a teenage Mohammed to learn that his father had not accumulated a fortune and was even indebted.
By the time he was 15, Prince Mohammed had a clear vision for his future. Unlike his half brothers, one of whom became an astronaut and another an Oxford-trained professor, Mohammed was driven by business and the ambition to amass wealth. Mischievous Mohammed, often found with a walkie-talkie borrowed from one of the guards, seemed more interested in making cheeky remarks and cracking jokes with palace guards than paying attention in class, according to his teacher’s account to the BBC.
Starting with a modest $100,000 earned from selling gifted gold and luxury watches, he ventured into stock trading, a pursuit he continued throughout his college and law school years at King Saud University. Within a few years, by the early 2010s, Prince Mohammed had made hundreds of millions on the Saudi stock market, according to several sources interviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
His business acumen extended into real estate and other sectors; Saudi corporate records from 2016 show he owns stakes in at least five real estate development companies and a recycling firm, as well as a 20 percent share in Watan Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a chemical producer supplying companies like Aramco.
It’s intriguing to consider how his life unfolded. While he once entertained the idea of pursuing a career abroad in banking, telecommunications, or real estate, his aspirations were to become a billionaire akin to Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. While he may not have their technical prowess, his wealth and influence are unrivaled.
Today, the once barely princely teenager is a formidable force. With ownership of the $400 million yacht Serene, the $300 million French château, and the world’s most expensive painting, a $450 million Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, he has crafted a life of unparalleled luxury.
