Bahaa El-Dine Rafic Al-Hariri (Arabic: بهاء الدين رفيق الحريري; born 26 April 1966) is a Lebanese-Saudi billionaire businessman. He is the eldest son of assassinated former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, from his father's first marriage with Nida Bustani, an Iraqi. He is the brother of former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
Bahaa Hariri | |
|---|---|
 Hariri in 2020 | |
| Born | 26 April 1966 |
| Nationality | Lebanese, Saudi, French, Iraqi |
| Education | Boston University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouses | Amar Helal Shahab (divorced)Donia Al-Baba (divorced)Hassnah Abousabah (m. 2014) |
| Children | 5 |
| Father | Rafic Hariri |
| Relatives | Saad Hariri (brother) Ayman Hariri (half-brother) Fahd Hariri (half-brother) Hind Hariri (half-sister) |
Since the start of the uprising in Lebanon in October 2019, Hariri has been vocal in his support for the protestors, speaking out about corruption in the political system and the failure of the state to support the people.[1]
He is currently listed at #1545 on Forbes' list of top billionaires.[2]
Early years
editBahaa Hariri was born in Saudi Arabia on 26 April 1966. He holds a master's degree in business administration from Boston University.[3] After completing his studies, he moved to work for his family Construction and Development company Saudi Oger Ltd.[2]
Business activities
editIn 2002, Hariri founded Horizon Group, a real estate holding company with investments in Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.[4] He is the majority owner of Globe Express Services, a logistics company with a presence in more than 100 countries.[5]
He has invested in New Abdali, a planned commercial district of Amman, Jordan. The project, in partnership with the Jordanian government, focuses on the development of the old downtown district of Al-Abdali, including luxury shopping, residences, and offices.[6]
In 2008, he sold his stake in Saudi Oger, the family construction business, to his brother Saad Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon.[7]
In 2010, Bahaa made a pledge to create the Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering in Boston University, where Hariri is currently a member of the board of trustees.[8]
In May 2011, he inaugurated the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council, a think-tank based in Washington DC. He sits on the Atlantic Council's international advisory board.[9]
In June 2017, "ABC Verdun", a shopping mall in Beirut, was launched as a joint development between Hariri's real estate company, Verdun 1544, and ABC.[10]
Community support
editIn February 2021, Hariri made a significant donation to the Lebanese American University Medical Center (LAUMC) to help carry out its vaccination campaign to fight the COVID -19 virus.[11] He also donated oxygen concentrators to the Lebanese Red Cross to alleviate the suffering of Lebanese citizens in the time of the pandemic.[12]
Personal life
editHariri is married to Hassnah Abousabah Hariri and is the father of five children.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Hariri Brothers & the Future of Lebanese Politics". New Lines Institute. 11 November 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Bahaa Hariri". Forbes.
- ^ "Leadership Sponsor: Bahaa R. Hariri". International Student House. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020.
- ^ "3 richest real estate tycoons in Middle East". Gulf News. 4 March 2015. Archived from the original on 25 March 2015.
- ^ "Hariri Family". Media Ownership Monitor Lebanon. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020.
- ^ "Developer reveals $5bn project in Jordan". Construction Week Online. 15 June 2014.
- ^ "The other Hariri: Saad's brother Bahaa makes play for Lebanese prominence". Middle East Eye. 12 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020.
- ^ "Trustee donates $15 million to BU for new institute". Daily Free Press. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2010.
- ^ "Atlantic Council Launches Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East". Atlantic Council. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015.
- ^ "ABC comes to Verdun". Business News. 19 February 2013.
- ^ "In Support of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign". Lebanese American University. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021.
- ^ "Lebanon launches online platform for vaccine registration". Arab News. 29 January 2021.