Current:Home > ContactMohamed Al-Fayed, late billionaire whose son died with Princess Diana, accused of rape -Wealth Empowerment Zone
Mohamed Al-Fayed, late billionaire whose son died with Princess Diana, accused of rape
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:23:36
Mohamed Al-Fayed, the late billionaire whose son died with Princess Diana, has been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct including rape by multiple women and girls.
The Egyptian businessman and ex-owner of the luxury London department store Harrods is the subject of a new BBC documentary "Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods." BBC reports it heard testimony from 20 women and girls, including 13 survivors who opened up in the doc about Al-Fayed's alleged abuse. Al-Fayed died last year at 94.
At the time of the alleged abuse, he owned the Ritz Paris hotel and British football club Fulham FC in addition to Harrods. BBC says the documentary will show "the scale and seriousness of these allegations" for the first time and suggests Harrods helped cover up Al-Fayed's crimes.
Al Fayed's 25-year tenure as owner of Harrods lasted from 1985 to 2010. According to a BBC News article published Thursday, the alleged incidents took place in London; St. Tropez, France; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Paris, where his son died.
An Associated Press article published last year chronicled Al-Fayed's controversial beliefs surrounding his son's death alongside Princess Diana in a Paris car crash after a paparazzi chase in 1997. According to the AP, the billionaire believed the pair were killed in a conspiracy masterminded by Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Princess Kate finishes chemotherapy andsays she's 'doing what I can to stay cancer-free'
Other claims documented by the AP said that Diana was pregnant with Al-Fayed's grandchild, and she planned to marry his son, but the royal family did not want the princess to marry a Muslim.
Harrods' new owners say they're 'appalled' by Mohamed Al-Fayed's alleged abuse
In a statement published on their website, Harrods addressed the allegations of abuse Thursday.
"We are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohamed Al Fayed. These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated, and we condemn them in the strongest terms," the statement reads. "We also acknowledge that during this time as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologize."
The statement continued, calling Harrods "a very different organization than it was when Al-Fayed owned it," saying they "cannot undo the past" while promising to ensure "that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future."
The company said that "since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible." They added that they want to avoid "lengthy legal proceedings" for the women involved and they will continue that process for current and former employees.
veryGood! (83653)
Related
- How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is suspending state gas and diesel taxes again
- Bad Bunny talks Kendall Jenner, new music and accusations of queerbaiting
- Roy Kidd, who guided Eastern Kentucky to 2 NCAA Division I-AA football championships, dies at 91
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Shakira Twins With All Grown Up Sons Milan and Sasha at the 2023 MTV VMAs
- Federal judge dismisses racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former Wilmington police officer
- Woman nearly gifts ex-father-in-law winning $75,000 scratch off ticket
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Second body recovered two weeks after boat sank in Lake Michigan
Ranking
- Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
- Aaron Rodgers tears Achilles tendon in New York Jets debut, is out for the season
- California lawmakers OK bills banning certain chemicals in foods and drinks
- Hawaii health officials warn volcanic smog known as vog has returned during latest eruption
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- 6 people shot dead in seaside town near Athens, Greece
- Vaccine skeptics dominate South Carolina pandemic preparation meeting as COVID-19 cases rise
- Montenegro police probe who built underground tunnel leading to court depot holding drugs, and why
Recommendation
RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
Tearful Ariana Grande Reveals Why She Stopped Using Lip Fillers and Botox 5 Years Ago
What Sophia Bush's Ex Grant Hughes Is Requesting in His Divorce Response
Back-to-school for higher education sees students, professors grappling with AI
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Supporters of Native activist Leonard Peltier hold White House rally, urging Biden to grant clemency
What’s ahead now that Republicans are opening an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden
McCarthy directs committees to launch impeachment inquiry into Biden. Here's what that means