Saudi Arabia’s billionaire class plays a powerful role in shaping the nation’s economy, driving growth in industries from construction to healthcare while influencing global investments. According to Forbes, 15 Saudi nationals made it back onto the billionaire list in 2026, with a combined wealth of around $55.8 billion. This year’s lineup includes familiar powerhouses and new names rising on the back of megaprojects like NEOM and the Red Sea ventures. At the very top is Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, whose wide-ranging investments in finance, hospitality, technology, and media keep him firmly in the lead.
In this Rich List edition, we’ll highlight the ten wealthiest Saudis in 2026, sharing their sources of fortune, business empires, personal journeys, and philanthropic efforts. At Fineducke, our goal is to make financial insights simple and accessible, so anyone can understand how these fortunes were built.
Key Takeaways
Biography:
Prince Alwaleed was born in 1955 in Jeddah and earned a business degree from Menlo College, California, later adding a social sciences diploma from Syracuse University. He launched Kingdom Holding Company in 1980, channeling investments into hospitality, banking, media, and technology; early bets on Citigroup, Apple, and Twitter paid off. His media empire includes Rotana and major hotel stakes. After his 2017 detention during an anti-corruption drive, he struck a settlement but remained a dominant force. His wealth often funds philanthropic efforts through Alwaleed Philanthropies, aiming to support global education, women’s empowerment, and humanitarian relief.
Biography:
A trained surgeon, Dr. Al Habib transformed the healthcare landscape by founding one of the region’s largest private hospital networks. His journey from physician to health system visionary began in the 1990s. ASH Group now includes multi-specialty hospitals and advanced diagnostic centers across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Known for focusing on medical tourism and state-of-the-art care, the group also runs investments in real estate used by its facilities. His philanthropic work centers on medical scholarships and community health initiatives.
Biography:
From the family’s humble beginnings in feed mills, Emad expanded Al Muhaidib Group into a diversified powerhouse. Led its aggressive growth into cement manufacturing (Southern Cement), food products, and packaging. His leadership helped steer the Group through Saudi Arabia’s industrialization in the 1980s and 1990s, and more recently into retail and finance. Emad emphasizes corporate governance and social programs, steering family fortunes toward sustainable development.
Biography:
Essam, Emad’s brother, shares leadership but carved his path focusing on finance and investments. He spearheaded the Group’s entry into banking and capital markets, building joint ventures and expanding into portfolio management. Essam also champions family education and youth training programs aimed at boosting human capital in Saudi Arabia.
Biography:
The youngest of the Muhaidib brothers, Sulaiman manages the Group’s energy and infrastructure arms. He led initiatives in sustainable construction and power plants, positioning Al Muhaidib at the forefront of Saudi mega projects in line with Vision 2030. He’s also known for environmental philanthropy, backing green entrepreneurship and education.
Biography:
Co founder of ACWA Power, Abunayyan built a global renewable and conventional power empire. Since the 1990s, ACWA has delivered desalination and power projects across the Gulf, combining infrastructure with energy resilience. Known for pioneering public-private partnerships, he led ACWA to international stock listings and spearheaded solar and waste to energy ventures. He supports education and environmental causes, especially clean water access in MENA.
Biography:
Starting from a small grocery store in 1950, Abdullah Al Othaim built one of Saudi Arabia’s largest supermarket chains. His expansion into hypermarkets, convenience stores, and logistics transformed retail. The company went public in 2008, and his diversified holdings now include malls and real estate. Known for pioneering Saudi retail standards, he supports social enterprises and local sourcing programs.
Biography:
From the Al Rajhi family, Saudi banking pioneers, he helped build Al Rajhi Bank into one of the world’s largest Islamic banks. Abdullah’s vision merged faith-based principles with modern banking, expanding into mortgages, investments, and digital services. He is known for funding mosques, educational charities, and humanitarian efforts.
Biography:
As founder of Nahdi Medical Company, Abdullah transformed pharmacy retail in Saudi Arabia. Beginning in the 1980s, he introduced modern pharmaceutical distribution, expanded into over 1,200 stores, clinics, and online services. His focus on patient welfare and drug safety helped build reputation. He is active in public health education and medical research sponsorships.
Biography:
A media pioneer, Waleed founded Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) in 1991, pioneering satellite TV in the Arab world. His empire spans news, drama, sports channels, and digital platforms reaching over 300 million viewers. After briefly exiting in 2018, he returned to prominence as MBC re listed and expanded production operations in Saudi. He invests in youth media training and film initiatives.
That title belongs to Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, with an estimated $16.5 billion fortune. His diversified portfolio across finance, hospitality, media, and tech helped him retain his spot as the wealthiest Saudi and Arab.
While no woman appears in the top ten richest Saudi individuals for 2026, Lubna Al Olayan, the former CEO of Olayan Financing Company, is widely regarded as one of Saudi Arabia’s wealthiest women. Though exact net worth figures vary in private estimates, the Olayan family’s assets are believed to exceed $10 billion.
Saudi Arabia’s billionaire league in 2026 blends legacy wealth and new fortunes born from IPOs and industrial transformation. From Prince Alwaleed’s global investments to Al Muhaidib’s industrial expansion and the rise of healthcare leaders, one constant shines through: vision fueled by persistence. These individuals leveraged education, early risks, and market openings to build empires. Their stories tell us that with a clear idea, relentless effort, and adaptability, monumental achievement is possible even in fast changing economies.
I am Eddah, a professional blogger specializing in wealth analysis and financial insights. As a contributor to Fineducke.com, I explore the world’s richest individuals, their net worth, and financial moves shaping economies. With a keen eye for detail, I turn complex data into engaging, easy-to-read content that informs and inspires
in fact is true , but how to become successful like those God bless us🙏