Khashoggi: Arms Dealing Tycoon

Adnan Khashoggi (1935 – 2017), a Saudi entrepreneur and arms dealer, initially immersed himself in brokering deals, especially in arms and munitions, during his college years. Born to the court doctor of Saudi Arabia, he pursued engineering studies at Chico State College (now part of California State University), where he identified opportunities to establish connections between American companies and the rapidly expanding wealth generated from Saudi oil.

In 1961, Khashoggi married Sandra Daly, a 20-year-old Englishwoman who converted to Islam and took on the name Soraya Khashoggi.

Even during high school, Khashoggi showcased his business acumen by orchestrating a meeting between the fathers of two classmates—a hotel manager and an oil magnate—for which he charged $1,000. Subsequently, he left university in the United States, utilizing the educational funds provided by his father to broker a deal between US and Saudi logistics companies, earning a $50,000 commission. One of his initial clients, when importing Kenworth heavy trucks into Saudi Arabia, was the construction group of the Bin Laden family.

Khashoggi amassed an impressive $4 billion fortune by facilitating transactions among arms manufacturers, governments, and private clients, earning him the distinction of being the world's wealthiest man. His extravagant and opulent lifestyle propelled him into widespread fame.

However, by the mid-1980s, Khashoggi's influence waned as his Triad business empire encountered financial setbacks. Despite the decline in his business ventures, his extravagant spending persisted unchecked.
Khashoggi: Arms Dealing Tycoon