Everyone knows there is lots of money in the Middle East, but don't be fooled into thinking it is just from oil. Reprinted from Forbes, this list of the thirteen billionaires shows that Middle Easterners are making their money in all sorts of ways: telecom, construction, finance.
The biggest take-away is that wealth stays in the family. From Forbes:
One third of the billionaires in the Middle East are related to each other.
Egypt’s Sawiris family and Mansour brothers comprise seven of the nation’s eight billionaires, while four Hariri brothers and two Mikati siblings make up Lebanon’s ultra-high-net worth individuals.
Conspicuously missing from this list? Royal families, as they are considered to be powerful people who control a nation's fortunes, rather than their own.
Read through for the thirteen richest people in the region otherwise known as your new best friend.
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $20.4 billion Source of wealth: Investments
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $15.3 billion Source of wealth: Oil, diversified
3. Nassef Sawiris
Country: Egypt Net worth: $6.7 billion Source of wealth: Construction
Country: United Arab Emirates Net worth: $4 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
Country: United Arab Emirates Net worth: $4.5 billion Source of wealth: Real estate, retail
6. Murat Ulker
Country: Turkey Net worth: $3.7 billion Source of wealth: Food manufacturing
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $3.5 billion Source of wealth: Dairy farms
8. Sarik Tara
Country: Turkey Net worth: $3.3 billion Source of wealth: Construction
Country: Egypt Net worth: $3.1 billion Source of wealth: Diversified
10. Mohammed Al Issa
Country: Saudi Arabia Net worth: $3.1 billion Source of wealth: Investments
11. Najib Mikati
Country: Lebanon Net worth: $3.1 billion Source of wealth: Telecom
12. Taha Mikati
Country: Lebanon Net worth: $3.1 billion Source of wealth: Telecom
13. Husnu Ozyegin
Country: Turkey Net worth: $3 billion Source of wealth: Finance, diversified