Nasser Al-Kharafi was a Kuwaiti businessman and one of the wealthiest people in the world. Born on 17 October 1943, in Kuwait City, he was the eldest son of Mohammed Abdul Mohsen Al-Kharafi, who founded the Kharafi Group, a conglomerate that became one of the largest and most diversified companies in the Middle East.
Nasser Al-Kharafi started his career with his family’s company, the Kharafi Group, in the 1960s, and played a significant role in expanding the company’s operations. Under his leadership, the Kharafi Group diversified into various sectors, including construction, engineering, real estate, food, and telecommunications.
Throughout his career, Al-Kharafi established numerous business partnerships and ventures with leading companies around the world, including France Telecom, Suez, and Veolia. He also had a strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa, where he was involved in several major infrastructure projects, including the development of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As a result of his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, Nasser Al-Kharafi became one of the wealthiest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $10 billion at the time of his death in 2011. He was ranked as the 77th richest person in the world by Forbes magazine in 2010.
Despite his wealth, Nasser Al-Kharafi was known for his philanthropic endeavors. He was a generous supporter of numerous charitable causes, including education, healthcare, and humanitarian relief efforts. He established the Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Kharafi and Family Foundation, which focuses on supporting projects that promote sustainable development, poverty reduction, and social welfare in Kuwait and around the world.
Nasser Al-Kharafi passed away on April 17, 2011, at the age of 67. His legacy lives on through his family’s business empire, his philanthropic work, and his contributions to the development of the Middle East and North Africa region.
Here’s a timeline of significant events in the life of Nasser Al-Kharafi:
- 1943: Nasser Al-Kharafi is born on October 17 in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
- 1963: Al-Kharafi begins his career with his family’s company, the Kharafi Group.
- 1976: Al-Kharafi becomes the Chairman and Managing Director of the Kharafi Group, overseeing the company’s expansion and diversification.
- 1980s: The Kharafi Group enters the telecommunications industry, partnering with France Telecom to establish the Kuwaiti Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), which later became Zain Group.
- 1990s: The Kharafi Group expands into the construction, engineering, and real estate sectors, undertaking major projects in the Middle East and North Africa region, including the development of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- 2000s: Al-Kharafi becomes one of the wealthiest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $10 billion. He establishes the Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Kharafi and Family Foundation to support charitable causes and projects that promote sustainable development and social welfare.
- 2011: Al-Kharafi passes away on April 17 at the age of 67. His family’s business empire continues to grow and diversify, with interests in various sectors, including telecommunications, construction, real estate, and hospitality.
5 Interesting Facts:
- Al-Kharafi was one of the wealthiest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $10 billion at the time of his death.
- He established the Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Kharafi and Family Foundation, which supports charitable causes and projects that promote sustainable development and social welfare.
- Al-Kharafi was a strong advocate of education and played an instrumental role in establishing the American University of Kuwait.
- The Kharafi Group, founded by Al-Kharafi’s father, became one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in the Middle East under his leadership.
- Al-Kharafi was involved in several major infrastructure projects in the Middle East and North Africa, including the construction of the Kuwait International Airport and the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
5 Quotes:
- “Success comes from hard work, dedication, and continuous effort to achieve your goals. You have to believe in yourself and never give up.”
- “We believe that education is the foundation of progress and development, and we are committed to investing in the future of our people.”
- “A business leader has to have the vision to see beyond the present and anticipate the future. Innovation and creativity are key to success in today’s global economy.”
- “We are committed to sustainable development, and we believe that economic growth should be balanced with social and environmental responsibility.”
- “Philanthropy is not only about giving money; it’s about giving hope, and it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives.”
