Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
MOHAMED Al Fayed’s cause of death has been revealed as emotional tributes pour in for the billionaire tycoon.
The Egyptian businessman and dad of Princess Diana’s lover Dodi died on Wednesday, his heartbroken family said last night.
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The 94-year-old was buried next to his eldest son at the family mausoleum on their 226-acre estate.
As Mohamed’s family said their final goodbyes, his cause of death was also revealed.
The businessman died of old age.
His death came just one day after the anniversary of the Paris car crash that killed his eldest son and Diana on August 31, 1997.
Prayers were held for him at Regent’s Park Mosque yesterday, before his coffin was driven to Barrow Green Court in Oxted, Surrey.
His grieving family said: “Mrs Mohamed Al Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
“He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones.
“The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.”
Mohamed amassed a fortune running several high-profile businesses including the Ritz Hotel in Paris and a long stint as chairman of Premier League club Fulham.
Diana is said to have shared a special bond with her lover’s dad.
He had started sponsoring a number of charities and events over the years – which were attended by the Royal Family.
But by 1995, Michael Cole, then director of public affairs at Harrods, told Vanity Fair: “Diana is so easy going with Mohamed… Mohamed is not one of those who’s overwhelmed by her.
“They spark off each other very well.”
Then, in the summer of 1997, Mohamed invited Princess Di, with Prince William and Prince Harry, to join his family on their yacht, the Jonikal.
It was on this trip that Diana and Dodi became close, before their tragic deaths in 1997.
Mohamed is understood to have believed the couple were just hours away from announcing their engagement.
Last night Fulham said: “Everyone at Fulham was incredibly saddened to learn of the death of our former Owner and Chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed.
“We owe Mohamed a debt of gratitude for what he did for our Club, and our thoughts now are with his family and friends at this sombre time.”
Piers Morgan also took to social media, saying: “RIP Mohamed Al Fayed, 94. An extraordinary tour de force of a man who never got over the death of his beloved son Dodi in the crash that also killed Diana.
“Mohamed wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and he was a flawed, complex character, but I liked him.”