Adnan Khashoggi

Saudi Arabian businessman Adnan Khashoggi (or Kashoggi) was famed as a broker of arms between US firms and the Saudi Government during the 1970s. He was later implicated during the Iran-Contra Affair as a key middleman in the arms-for-hostages exchange, and in a complex series of events, was found to have borrowed money for these arms purchases from the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

Once thought to be the richest man in the world, Khashoggi headed a company called Triad which amongst other things built the Triad Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah. He paid a reputed $1 billion to his ex-wife Soraya in a landmark divorce settlement.

Trivia

+ Khashoggi was well known for leading an extravagant and wild lifestyle that was legendary in its time. This was commemorated on rockband Queen's album The Miracle, on which the second song is titled Khashoggi's Ship.