Mohamed Al Fayed dies in England a day before anniversary of son’s death

Billionaire tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son was killed in a car crash with Princess Diana, has died only a day before the anniversary of his son’s death.

Billionaire tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son was killed in a car crash with Princess Diana, has died aged 94.

The self-made Egyptian businessman was the former owner of the famed Harrods department store in London and former owner of Fulham Football Club.

He spent the rest of his life mourning the loss of his son Dodi Fayed who died in the car crash in Paris with Princess Diana 26 years ago.

Mr Al Fayed had believed the couple were just hours away from announcing their engagement.

Princess Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed at a charity Gala Dinner at Harrods. Picture: Getty Images

Former Harrods department store owner Mohamed Al Fayed. Picture: AFP

In a statement released on Friday, 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.”

His death comes almost 26 years to the day of the Paris car crash that killed his eldest son and Princess Diana on August 31, 1997.

Fulham Football Club, which Mr Al Fayed owned for many years, said that it was “incredibly saddened to learn” of his death.

“We owe Mohamed a debt of gratitude for what he did for our club, and our thoughts now are with his family and friends at this sombre time,” the club said in a statement.

His successor at the club Shahid Khan expressed his condolences in a tribute on the club’s website.

Mohamed Al Fayed at the funeral of Princess Diana.

“The story of Fulham cannot be told without a chapter on the positive impact of Mr Al Fayed as chairman,” Mr Khan said.

“His legacy will be remembered for our promotion to the Premier League, a Europa League Final, and moments of magic by players and teams alike.

Mohamed Al Fayed with his wife Heini following funeral service for the Princess.

“I join our supporters around the world in celebrating the memory of Mohamed Al-Fayed, whose legacy will always be at the heart of our tradition at Fulham Football Club.”

Princess Diana with Prince Charles and Mohamed Al Fayed. Picture: Getty Images

Piers Morgan also took to social media, saying: “RIP Mohamed Al-Fayed, 94. An extraordinary tour de force of a man who never got over the death of his beloved son Dodi in the crash that also killed Diana.

“Mohamed wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and he was a flawed, complex character, but I liked him.”

More to come.

Originally published as Mohamed Al Fayed dies in England a day before anniversary of son’s death