Dr. Nasser bin Ibrahim Al-Rasheed was born in 1939 at the Saudi consulate in Damascus. His grandfather, Rasheed Al-Layla, was a key envoy for King Abdulaziz in Syria and Lebanon.
He began his primary education in Hail, later moving to Medina and then Damascus. In 1960, he graduated from Souk El Gharb School in Lebanon.
Pursuing higher education, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin in 1961, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1965. He later completed his PhD in early 1970 after serving as a lecturer at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
His academic excellence was recognized with an annual financial award from the Saudi Scholarships Office for outstanding students.
Professional Career
Dr. Nasser Al-Rasheed is the founder and chairman of Al-Rasheed Engineering Office, established in 1973.
He held the position of Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
He also served as the consulting engineer for King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, offering his expertise in major national projects.
Career Milestones
Began his professional career as a lecturer at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in 1965.
In 1970, he became an assistant professor in civil engineering and later the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences until 1974.
Supervised the university campus project during his tenure.
Established Al-Rasheed Engineering Office in 1975, which became Saudi Arabia’s leading engineering consultancy firm within five years.
His expertise caught the attention of King Khalid, who entrusted him with the design and supervision of special projects. In 1977, he was appointed as a consulting engineer for King Khalid and Crown Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz.
As the royal court’s chief engineering consultant, his firm was responsible for designing and overseeing royal palaces, government complexes, and hospitals. He also played a pivotal role in projects personally approved by the King.
In 1982, Dr. Al-Rasheed led the design and supervision of the Hail Government Complex, which centralized the offices of over 30 government ministries.
Recognizing his contributions, he was appointed as a member of the National Committee for Combating Drugs in 2007 for a three-year term.
Personal Life
Dr. Nasser Al-Rasheed is married to Mona Ayoub, a Lebanese businesswoman and a prominent real estate and stock market investor. She is known for owning one of the largest couture collections in the world, with a net worth estimated at $300 million.
Together, they have six sons: Fahd, Ramzi, Ibrahim, Salman, Mohammed, and Youssef, and three daughters: Moudi, Noura, and Sarah.
Wealth & Assets
In 2009, Arabian Business ranked Nasser Al-Rasheed as the 4th richest Arab, with an estimated fortune of $8 billion.
He made headlines in 1990 for acquiring the world’s largest private yacht, Lady Moura, a 344-foot luxury vessel, for $200 million.
Dr. Nasser Al-Rasheed continues to be a pioneering figure in Saudi engineering and business, leaving an enduring legacy in architecture, urban planning, and royal advisory services.
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