Good Bad Billionaire

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal: The billionaire royal

September 28, 2026·39 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is a billionaire Saudi prince who insists he’s self-made. He champions women's rights, yet is a member of one of the world’s most traditional ruling families. He built his fortune betting on western giants like Citicorp and Apple, but is a prominent member of the House of Saud. Journalist Zing Tseng and BBC business editor Simon Jack trace Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's journey to becoming one of the world's shrewdest investors. Along the way, they explore the deals that built his fortune, the questions that have followed it, and the extraordinary moment he found himself imprisoned by his own government. Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics, and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility. Simon and Zing put their subjects to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard — then hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires? Here's how to contact the team: email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire.

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