The Rise and Fall of Adnan Khashoggi

Deal-maker Adnan Khashoggi

Back in the 1970s and 80s Adnan Khashoggi was in the news on a weekly if not a daily basis. Rumor had it that the weapons trader turned deal-maker was one of the richest men on earth. At first the media covered him because of his luxurious lifestyle of private jets, big yachts, glamorous women, and hobnobbing with royalty. Then he became associated with the Iran-Contra and Lockheed scandals. After that he went on the decline.

Adnan was not the type of deal-maker we normally cover here. He was much more of a schmoozer than asset accumulator. His talent lay in bringing different parties together for the purpose of collaborating in business deals. If a deal was done Adnan received a handsome commission.

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