Marbella has attracted many famous and influential faces over the last 50 years, who of whom have had an effect on the city.

In 1974 a certain person arrived that would have a major effect on modern day Marbella. That person was Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud better known as King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

Born in 1923, he was one of 37 sons of the founder of Saudi Arabia King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud.

He became Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 1975, following the death by assassanation of his half brother. He also became de facto Prime Minister during this time.

He was to ascend to the throne in 1982, a post he held until his death in 2005 although after he suffered a stoke in 1995 he was unable to carry out his official duties.

He was married at least four times and had six sons and an undisclosed number of daughters.

Marbella And The King

He first came to Marbella in 1974 after breaking the bank of the Casino of Monte Carlo. He was to visit the city for many years to come , each time bringing a entourage of over 1000 people. He would spend a vast fortune each time.. He was soon to become Marbella’s Favorite Son.

During his annual visits, fleets of private jets, helicopters, Mercedes-Benz limousines and trucks laden with flowers for his palace would invade the city and there would be huge queues of people seeking work outside his palace.

His presence in Marbella encouraged many people to follow his lead all spending their own personal fortunes during their time in the City.

His financial contribution to the city of Marbella is clear to see, it is said that over the years he contributed about 10 Million Dollars every day that he spent on the Coast

He built a beautiful palace on the Golden Mile, a stunning replica of the White House made from marble and gold so that he would have a residence in the city from which to enjoy his vacation time.

He helped to mold Modern Marbella with massive donations to the city to fund local housing projects and hospitals.

He would spend huge amounts in local shops and would employ thousands of local workers , paying then massive salaries during his stay

The city named a street after him

Following his death a plaque was mounted on the street named after him and city authorities commissioned a bust of the late king

His contribution to the city was so great that following his death in 2005 the city of Marbella observed a mourning period of three days

His Residence In Marbella

The main residence is a stunning replica of the White House in the USA although the Palace is just part of a massive complex known as the Nahda Complex. It covers a massive 200 acre plot .

Other properties on the Complex include a private clinic, a mosque , a sports centre as well as several palaces and villas all surrounded by stunning gardens. It is impossible to place a value on the estate, but many would say it would cost millions just for the land.

To put a true value on what this remarkable man did for the development of Marbella would be impossible. He brought untold riches to the city as well as many wealthy friends.

The people of Marbella and Puerto Banus where the King would moor his Royal Yacht would look forward to his arrival. Since his death there is a feeling that something is missing, the man who helped to build Marbella will be sadly missed by all