Ahmad Hasan Fitaihi

Ahmad Hasan Fitaihi is one of Saudi Arabia’s pioneering businessmen, celebrated for transforming his family’s early silver-trading heritage into a thriving jewelry empire. Known internationally for his acumen, Fitaihi has significantly contributed to the kingdom’s economy and global image through his businesses, investments, and robust personal network. His endeavors brought Saudi Arabian jewelry into the global stage, highlighted by his record-setting gemstone collection.

Fitaihi made history as the first Saudi entrepreneur to import jewelry directly from Italy.

Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Hasan Fitaihi began familiarizing himself with the intricate workings of silver and gold craftsmanship at a remarkably early age. Struggling with his father’s health issues, Ahmad had to sacrifice his formal education when he was just twelve years old, stepping into his father’s store. Determined, however, he continued his education privately at home, eventually obtaining his secondary certificate. In 1962, Fitaihi traveled to Italy, returning to Saudi Arabia as the first national to import Italian gold products commercially, an impressive milestone for Saudi’s commercial history.

The Fitaihis’ connection with jewelry dates back to 1887, when Fitaihi’s great-grandfather specialized in silverwork in Makkah. By 1907, the family established their first major jewelry store in the bustling heart of Jeddah’s historic gold market.

Fitaihi is married, and the family counts five children: Dr. Walid, an established figure in healthcare as head of the International Medical Center; Mohammed, an engineer managing Fitaihi Junior company; along with Hassan, Maha, and Huda.

– Owns one of the largest diamonds internationally, earning him acknowledgment in Guinness World Records.

– Frequently attends international auctions, such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

– Awarded Italy’s highest honorary award, recognizing his role in fostering Saudi-Italian economic ties.

Fitaihi established his first major jewelry company alongside his father back in 1965. Marking a bold move forward, he created his own independent establishment in 1970, laying a strong foundation for future growth. By 1990, Fitaihi launched the wholesale-oriented Fitaihi Center, and turned his company into a limited liability firm with 200 million Saudi Riyals capital in 1992.

Fitaihi expanded to Riyadh by establishing the Fitaihi Center in 1993. Just two years later, his firm acquired Marina Bvlgari, a Swiss company bearing the legacy of the famous jewelry house Bulgari, boosting the global footprint of Fitaihi enterprises across Europe, Asia, and America.

In 1998, the family’s business transitioned from private ownership into a public joint-stock company, marking one of the earliest instances of such transformations within Saudi Arabia.

Subsequently, in 2003, the enterprise expanded capital to 385 million Saudi Riyals and proudly launched their flagship jewelry store on Jeddah’s renowned Tahlia Street, notably managed completely by Saudi women—an exceptional achievement at the time.

In 2006, under royal endorsement from King Abdullah, Ahmad Fitaihi’s eldest son, Dr. Walid, opened the prestigious International Medical Center, featuring cutting-edge healthcare technologies.

Further expansion involved additional branches in Riyadh and Jeddah, notably on Olaya Street and King Road, respectively, in 2007, followed by the store at Red Sea Mall in 2008. The company’s capitalization eventually reached 500 million Saudi Riyals, largely due to consistent approval and acknowledgement from the Saudi Capital Market Authority.

His son Mohammad successfully spearheaded “Fitaihi Junior,” now prevalent across Saudi Arabia, including boutique-style stores specially tailored towards children and young customers under “Baby Fitaihi,” a first-of-its-kind jewelry concept.

Adding further dimension to their brand portfolio, the Fitaihi group acquired the Italian accessories brand “Tatu Tati,” increasing their diversified international presence.

Ahmad Fitaihi’s journey exemplifies an inspiring entrepreneurial path marked by tradition, innovation, and dedication, significantly contributing to the kingdom’s commercial history and empowering citizen talent and enterprise.