Adnan Khashoggi

Adnan Khashoggi (Arabic: عدنان خاشقجي, romanized: ‘Adnān Khāshuqjī; 25 July 1935 – 6 June 2017) was a Saudi businessman and arms dealer known for his business dealings, extensive geopolitical influence, and opulent lifestyle, which earned him the moniker "The Great Gatsby of the Middle East." During his peak in the early 1980s, Khashoggi's net worth was estimated at around $4 billion, amassed through his pivotal role as an intermediary between Western defense companies and the Saudi government.

Khashoggi was the founder of Triad International Holding Company, which held diverse investments worldwide, including in luxury hotels, oil refineries, and real estate. Known for hosting lavish parties attended by celebrities and politicians, Khashoggi's lifestyle made him a media fixture and inspired popular culture, even influencing songs by Queen and appearing in shows like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Khashoggi was born in Mecca, to Muhammad Khashoggi, an ethnic Turk who was King Abdul Aziz Al Saud's personal doctor, and Samiha Ahmed, a Saudi woman of Syrian origin. Khashoggi's sister was author Samira Khashoggi who married businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed and was the mother of Dodi Fayed. Another sister, Soheir Khashoggi, is a well-known Arab novelist (Mirage, Nadia's Song, Mosaic). He had two brothers, Essam Khashoggi and Adil Khashoggi, and he named Triad Corporation in reference to himself and his two brothers. He was a paternal uncle of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi was educated at Victoria College in Alexandria, Egypt, and attended Chico State, Ohio State, and Stanford University. Khashoggi left his studies in order to pursue a business career.

In 1961, Khashoggi married 20-year-old Englishwoman, Sandra Daly, who converted to Islam and took the name Soraya Khashoggi. Together they raised one daughter (Nabila) and four sons (Mohamed, Khalid, Hussein, and Omar). Another daughter, Petrina, was born after the couple divorced in 1974 and was assumed to be Adnan's, until a DNA test in 1999 revealed that her father was Conservative party politician Jonathan Aitken.

Khashoggi's second wife, Italian Laura Biancolini, (m. 1978-2006) changed her name to Lamia Khashoggi. She was seventeen when she met Adnan; together they had a son, Ali. Khashoggi was not married to Lamia Khashoggi at the time of his death. Adnan's third legal wife was Shahpari Azam Zanganeh. Apart from his marriages, Khashoggi also maintained a harem, and it was reported that he had relationships with at least 12 women who were described as his "pleasure wives". One was Jill Dodd, a former model and fashion designer he met in 1980. Dodd has written a memoir titled The Currency of Love about their relationship.

In the 1980s, the Khashoggi family occupied one of the largest villa estates in Marbella, Spain, called Baraka, hosting lavish parties. Guests at these parties included film stars, pop celebrities and politicians such as former Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau. In 1985, celebrity reporter Robin Leach reported Khashoggi threw a five-day birthday party in Vienna for his eldest son, and in his heyday, Khashoggi spent $250,000 a day to maintain his lifestyle. Due to his extravagant lifestyle, he was called the Great Gatsby of the Middle East.

Another Khashoggi home was Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in Laikipia County, Kenya known at the time as the Mount Kenya Safari Club. His house has since been converted into a hotel which is run by Serena Hotels.