Dodi Fayed

Fayed was born in Alexandria, Egypt, the eldest child of Mohamed Al Fayed (1929–2023). His father later became the owner of Harrods department store, Fulham Football Club, and the Hôtel Ritz Paris.{{cite news|last=Peretti|first=Jacques|title=Death of a playboy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jan/11/dodi-fayed|access-date=26 May 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=11 January 2009|location=London|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110101513/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jan/11/dodi-fayed|url-status=live}} Fayed's mother Samira Khashoggi (1935–1986), was a Saudi author.{{Cite book |last=Kessler |first=Ronald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Iw2DwAAQBAJ |title=The Richest Man in the World: The Story of Adnan Khashoggi |date=2017-10-31 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |isbn=978-1-5387-6254-7 |language=en}} She was a daughter of Muhammad Khashoggi and sister of Saudi billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. She and her brother were first cousins of the late Washington Post Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Heimbrod |first=Camille |date=20 October 2018 |title=Princess Diana's 'Secret' Connection To Missing Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Revealed |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/princess-dianas-secret-connection-missing-saudi-journalist-jamal-khashoggi-revealed-2726335 |website=International Business Times |access-date=2 January 2019 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106033325/https://www.ibtimes.com/princess-dianas-secret-connection-missing-saudi-journalist-jamal-khashoggi-revealed-2726335 |url-status=live }}

Fayed had four half siblings from his father's second marriage to Heini Wathén: Omar, Camilla, Karim, and Jasmine Fayed.{{citation|last=Bradford|first=Sarah|year=2007|title=Diana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z_h8dtlhkVwC&pg=PR12|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-14-190673-7|quote=Fayed had risen from his lowly beginnings through his connection with the Kashoggi family, Saudis of Turkish descent, who owed their position to their connection with the rulers of Saudi Arabia. In 1954 he married Samira, the 16-year-old sister of Adnan Kashoggi, his contemporary, son of the head of the family, Dr Mohamed Kashoggi. Their son, Emad, always known as 'Dodi', had been born in 1955...|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005030824/https://books.google.com/books?id=z_h8dtlhkVwC&pg=PR12|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|last=Hubbard|first=Kim|title=Howdy, Dodi!|journal=People|date=25 August 1997|volume=48|issue=8|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122985,00.html|access-date=26 May 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061844/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122985,00.html|url-status=live}}

Fayed was a student at Collège Saint Marc in Alexandria before attending the Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, Switzerland.{{cite web|title=Dodi Fayed: Biography|date=14 November 2023|url=http://www.biography.com/people/dodi-fayed-240977|publisher=biography.com|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204142428/https://www.biography.com/people/dodi-fayed-240977|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Fayed saw himself as an Onassis|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/09/04/ent_214126.shtml|publisher=augusta.com|date=4 September 1997|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110013148/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/09/04/ent_214126.shtml|url-status=dead}} He also briefly attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

After completing his education, he worked as an attaché at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in London.

Through his family's production company, Allied Stars, Fayed was an executive producer of the films Chariots of Fire, Breaking Glass, F/X, F/X2, Hook, and The Scarlet Letter, and an executive creative consultant for F/X: The Series. He also worked for his father on marketing for Harrods.

In 1986, Fayed married model Suzanne Gregard. They divorced eight months later. According to her memoir, Babylon Confidential, Claudia Christian had an on-again, off-again romance with Fayed.{{cite book |author=Claudia Christian, Morgan Grant Buchanan |title=Babylon Confidential: A Memoir of Love, Sex, and Addiction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIQ4RW0KpS8C&pg=PT91 |year=2012 |publisher=BenBella Books, Inc. |isbn=978-1-937856-07-6 |page=91 |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920003930/https://books.google.com/books?id=tIQ4RW0KpS8C&pg=PT91 |url-status=live}}

In 1997, Fayed reportedly became engaged to American model Kelly Fisher. With money from his father, he bought a house in Malibu, California, for Fisher and himself.{{cite web |first=Dominick |last=Dunne |author-link=Dominick Dunne |date=19 May 2010 |title=Two Ladies, Two Yachts, and a Billionaire |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/05/dunne200805 |access-date=11 October 2013 |newspaper=Vanity Fair |location=New York |archive-date=13 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013012757/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/05/dunne200805 |url-status=live }}

In July 1997, Fayed became romantically involved with Diana, Princess of Wales, after entertaining her on his yacht Cujo.{{cite web |title=Yacht that Princess Diana spent last summer on with Dodi Al-Fayed sinks to bottom of Mediterranean |url=https://news.sky.com/story/yacht-that-princess-diana-spent-last-summer-on-with-dodi-al-fayed-sinks-to-bottom-of-mediterranean-12933100 |work=Sky News |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804031527/https://news.sky.com/story/yacht-that-princess-diana-spent-last-summer-on-with-dodi-al-fayed-sinks-to-bottom-of-mediterranean-12933100 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D8THAH1O1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030328/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D8THAH1O1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Diana's Darling Dodi letters are read |publisher=Associated Press |date=14 December 2007 |access-date=11 October 2013|via= HighBeam Research}} Fisher learned of Fayed's relationship with Diana only after seeing paparazzi photos of the two embracing. Fisher announced that she was filing a breach of contract suit against him, saying he had "led her emotionally all the way up to the altar and abandoned her when they were almost there," and that he "threw her love away in a callous way with no regard for her whatsoever".{{Cite news |date=15 August 1997 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/model-claims-fayed-jilted-her-for-diana-1245451.html |title=Model claims Fayed jilted her for Diana |first=Kate |last=Watson-Smyth |work=The Independent |access-date=26 August 2017 |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426181158/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/model-claims-fayed-jilted-her-for-diana-1245451.html |url-status=live}} Fayed denied that he was ever engaged to Fisher.{{Cite magazine |date=2023-11-16 |title=What to Know About Dodi Fayed's Ex-Fiancée Kelly Fisher |url=https://time.com/6336052/kelly-fisher-dodi-fayed-fiancee-the-crown-season-6/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120211519/https://time.com/6336052/kelly-fisher-dodi-fayed-fiancee-the-crown-season-6/ |url-status=live }} Fisher dropped the lawsuit shortly after Fayed's death.{{cite news | url=http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/USA-KELLY-FISHER-DROPS-LAWSUIT-AGAINST-DODI-UPDATE/79b153d4f20210ad69548676309c9c2b | title=Kelly Fisher Drops Lawsuit Against Dodi | date=1 September 1997 | publisher=Associated Press | access-date=30 December 2016 | archive-date=10 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410052953/http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/USA-KELLY-FISHER-DROPS-LAWSUIT-AGAINST-DODI-UPDATE/79b153d4f20210ad69548676309c9c2b | url-status=live }}

{{Main|Death of Diana, Princess of Wales}}

File:112407-Harrods-DiannaDodiMemorial1.jpg, one of two memorials in Harrods]]

In the early hours of 31 August 1997, Diana and Fayed died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma underpass in Paris. They had stopped in Paris en route to London after spending nine days on holiday in the French and Italian Rivieras aboard his family's yacht, the Jonikal. Neither Fayed nor Diana was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.{{cite web |last1=Read |first1=Carly |title=Diana shock claim: Princess would be alive if she had worn seatbelt – pathologist |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1021259/princess-diana-news-pathologist-richard-shepherd-paris-crash-1997-dodi-fayad-royal-wedding |website=Daily Express |date=22 September 2018 |publisher=Express Newspapers |access-date=18 July 2020 |ref=express |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718170203/https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1021259/princess-diana-news-pathologist-richard-shepherd-paris-crash-1997-dodi-fayad-royal-wedding |url-status=live }} The only survivor of the crash was bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones.

Investigations by French and British police concluded that the chauffeur, Henri Paul, was driving under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs. They also reported that paparazzi chasing the couple were believed to have contributed to the accident.Paul Webster and Stuart Millar [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/sep/04/monarchy.paulwebster "Diana verdict sparks Fayed appeal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135823/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/sep/04/monarchy.paulwebster |date=12 June 2018 }}, The Guardian, 4 September 1999{{Cite news | title=Diana jury blames paparazzi and Henri Paul for her 'unlawful killing' | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1584160/Diana-jury-blames-paparazzi-and-Henri-Paul-for-her-unlawful-killing.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1584160/Diana-jury-blames-paparazzi-and-Henri-Paul-for-her-unlawful-killing.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | access-date=12 October 2013 | work=Daily Telegraph | date=7 April 2008 | location=London | first=Gordon | last=Rayner}}{{cbignore}}

Fayed's father, Mohamed Al-Fayed, said that the couple "were executed by MI6 agents".[http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article3033375.ece Mohamed al-Fayed: The outsider] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221135615/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article3033375.ece |date=21 December 2007| work=The Independent, 6 October 2007}} Fayed's former spokesman, Michael Cole, has said that the couple became engaged before their deaths.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7182228.stm Diana and Dodi 'were engaged'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904010042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7182228.stm |date=4 September 2017 }} BBC

Fayed was originally buried in Brookwood Cemetery near Woking, Surrey, but was re-interred in October 1997 on the grounds of Barrow Green Court, the family estate in Oxted, Surrey.{{cite web|last1=Moyes|first1=Jojo|title=Dodi Fayed's remains re-buried in secret|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/dodi-fayeds-remains-re-buried-in-secret-1236261.html%3Famp|website=The Independent|publisher=independent.co.uk|access-date=27 June 2017|date=16 October 1997|archive-date=21 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221182659/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/dodi-fayeds-remains-re-buried-in-secret-1236261.html?amp|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Kieran|last=Kelly|date=2 September 2023|title=Mohamed Al-Fayed buried next to son on family estate almost 26 years after Dodi died in car crash with Princess Diana|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/mohamed-al-fayed-buried-next-son-family-estate/|website=LBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902130523/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/mohamed-al-fayed-buried-next-son-family-estate/|archive-date=2 September 2023|url-status=live}}

File:112407-Harrods-DiannaDodiMemorial2.jpg, and Dodi Fayed in Harrods]]

Fayed's father erected two memorials to his son and Diana at Harrods. The first, unveiled on 12 April 1998, consists of photos of them behind a pyramid-shaped display containing a wine glass smudged with lipstick from Diana's final dinner, and the ring Fayed had purchased for her the day before they died.{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/12/10/diana.inquest.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |title=Jeweler: Diana, Dodi picked engagement ring – CNN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219171148/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/12/10/diana.inquest.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |archive-date=19 February 2008 }} The second, unveiled in 2005 and titled Innocent Victims, is a {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} high bronze statue of the two dancing on a beach, beneath the wings of an albatross, a symbol of freedom and eternity.[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/01/diana.dodi.statue/index.html Harrods unveils Diana, Dodi statue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031720/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/01/diana.dodi.statue/index.html |date=4 March 2016 }}, CNN, 1 September 2005.

The memorials were designed by Bill Mitchell, a close friend of Fayed's father who had worked for the Fayed family for more than 40 years, including as a designer at Harrods.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/161556.stm Princes lead Diana remembrance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815111943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/161556.stm |date=15 August 2017 }} BBC Fayed's father sold Harrods in 2010.

In January 2018, the manager of Harrods announced that the statue would be returned to the Al-Fayed family. He noted that Diana's sons William and Harry had commissioned a memorial to be installed at Kensington Palace, which the public could visit.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/13/tacky-statue-of-diana-and-dodi-fayed-to-be-removed-from-harrods|title='Tacky' statue of Diana and Dodi Fayed to be removed from Harrods|first=Chris|last=Johnston|date=13 January 2018|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113231513/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/13/tacky-statue-of-diana-and-dodi-fayed-to-be-removed-from-harrods|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}

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• In the 2013 film Diana, Fayed was portrayed by Cas Anvar.
• Episodes of seasons 5 and 6 of The Crown referred to him, and he was portrayed by Khalid Abdalla.{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/khalid-abdalla-dodi-the-crown-newsupdate/ |title=Who is Khalid Abdalla? Meet Dodi Fayed actor in The Crown |last=Hibbs |first=James |website=Radio Times |date=16 November 2023 |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117202925/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/khalid-abdalla-dodi-the-crown-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, Abdalla received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for his performance.{{Cite web |title=TELEVISION NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 29TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS – Critics Choice Awards |url=https://www.criticschoice.com/2023/12/05/tv-nominees-for-the-29th-annual-critics-choice-awards/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |language=en-US |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112003756/https://www.criticschoice.com/2023/12/05/tv-nominees-for-the-29th-annual-critics-choice-awards/ |url-status=live }}

• Operation Paget

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Category:1955 births

Category:1997 deaths

Category:20th-century Egyptian businesspeople

Category:Alumni of Institut Le Rosey

Category:Collège Saint Marc, Alexandria alumni

Category:Diana, Princess of Wales

Category:Egyptian businesspeople

Category:Diplomats for the United Arab Emirates

Category:Egyptian emigrants to the United Kingdom

Category:Egyptian film producers

Category:Egyptian Muslims

Category:Egyptian people of Saudi Arabian descent

Category:El Fayed family

Category:English people of Egyptian descent

Category:English people of Syrian descent

Category:English people of Turkish descent

Category:Harrods

Category:Khashoggi family

Category:Male lovers of royalty

Category:Road incident deaths in France