Wafic Saïd

Wafic Saïd is an influential Syrian-Saudi entrepreneur and philanthropist who achieved prominence through significant construction ventures in Saudi Arabia and notable international arms deals. He is recognized primarily for his role as a key facilitator in the famous Al Yamamah arms deal between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, considered at the time a historic agreement dubbed “the deal of the century.”

Apart from his entrepreneurial pursuits, Saïd actively engages in philanthropy aimed at youth empowerment across the Arab world through the Saïd Foundation. His charitable work specifically targets education, healthcare, and aiding those with disabilities or special needs.

Despite being famously called “the Al Yamamah man,” Saïd suffered personal tragedy, losing his first-born son to drowning during a visit hosted by Saudi royalty.

Wafic Saïd was born into a distinguished Syrian family on December 21, 1939, in Damascus. His father, Rida Saïd, was a renowned surgeon and prominent public figure who served as Mayor of Damascus in 1920 and Syria’s Minister of Education in 1925. He notably helped establish the Syrian baccalaureate examination system and played a crucial role in founding Damascus University, adding important medical faculties to its curriculum.

Due to political upheaval following the coup d’état in Syria in 1963, Wafic fled his homeland seeking refuge and opportunity elsewhere. Initially settling in Geneva, Switzerland, he entered the banking and investment sectors, simultaneously managing a restaurant catering primarily to affluent Middle Eastern clients.

In the mid-1960s, Saïd married Rosemary Buchanan, daughter of his Swiss bank manager. Tragically, their first son, Karim Risa, passed away at a young age due to a drowning accident while under the Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality in 1981. Decades later, in 2012, their daughter Rasha’s wedding at the Palace of Versailles in Paris made international headlines for its grandeur.

Saïd practices Islam and resides across his homes in Paris, Monaco, London, and Saudi Arabia.

– Granted Saudi citizenship by royal decree in 1981—a notably rare honor.

– Ranked among the wealthiest Arab businessmen, topping out at USD 1.6 billion in net worth.

– Founded the Saïd Foundation in memory of his late son, facilitating educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth throughout the Middle East.

– Contributed significantly toward Oxford University’s business school, subsequently named the “Saïd Business School.”

– Investigated by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office in 2004 related to the Al Yamamah scandal, though the case eventually concluded favorably, clearing his accounts.

In the early 1970s, Saïd’s career took a prosperous turn after relocating to Saudi Arabia, where he launched a modest construction company. Through excellence managing government contracts, notably earning admiration from Defense Minister Prince Sultan, Saïd rapidly rose to prominence, leading to significant wealth accumulation by 1973.

His role as an intermediary and representative for British aerospace interests placed him crucially into the center of the record-setting Al Yamamah defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Britain, solidifying his reputation worldwide.

Additionally, Saïd has shown a profound commitment to disability advocacy. Since 2000, he’s operated the sole international branch of his foundation specifically for disabilities programs in Syria, training professionals and consulting in special needs education.