Heini Wathén is a Finnish former model and socialite best known for her long-term marriage to the late Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Born in Finland, she became a beauty pageant contestant and model in Paris.
Her marriage to Mohamed Al-Fayed in 1985, after being introduced to him by his son Dodi, further thrust her into the spotlight. The couple remained married until Mohamed’s death in 2023.
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- Full name: Heini Wathén
- Date of birth: February 24, 1955
- Age: 69 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Hanko, Finland
- Nationality: Finnish
- Occupation: Former model, social activist
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: One older sister (unnamed)
- Spouse: Mohamed Al-Fayed (d. 1985, d. 2023)
- Children: Jasmine Al-Fayed, Karim Al-Fayed, Camilla Al-Fayed, Omar Al-Fayed
- Relationship status: Widowed
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Finnish
- Net worth: 5 million USD
Early life and education
Heini Wathén was born on February 24, 1955 in Hanko, Finland, she is 69 years old this year. Little is known about her parents, but she grew up with an older sister with whom she later moved to Paris. Wathén’s early life was shaped by her upbringing in Finland, where she pursued a secondary education and graduated in 1975 at the age of 19.
After graduating, she embarked on a modeling career. Although there is no clear evidence of further education after high school, she is known for participating in various beauty pageants, which launched her modeling career.
Her ethnicity is Finnish, and although few details are known about her religious beliefs, she was involved in various charitable causes throughout her life.
Personal life
Heini Wathén’s life is inextricably linked to that of her husband, Mohamed Al-Fayed, a businessman of Egyptian origin. The couple met in the late 1970s through Mohamed’s son, Dodi Fayed.
Despite their significant age difference of 26 years, they began dating and eventually married in 1985. Heini and Mohamed lived together for nearly four decades until his death in 2023.
They have four children together: Jasmine (born 1980), Karim (born 1983), Camilla (born 1985) and Omar (born 1987). Each of their children has pursued a variety of career paths, with Jasmine working in fashion, Karim in manufacturing, Camilla in the restaurant industry, and Omar focusing on environmental technology.
Career
Heini Wathén began her modeling career in her teens after winning many beauty contests in Finland. In the mid-1970s, she moved to Paris to pursue a modeling career, where she worked for various fashion houses, including Pierre Balmain.
Although her modeling career was relatively short-lived, she received significant recognition in high society through her marriage to Mohamed Al-Fayed.
In addition to her early modeling career, Heini also managed aspects of her husband’s business interests, particularly regarding their joint philanthropic initiatives and projects, although she went largely unnoticed.
Net worth
Heini Wathén’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. Her wealth is largely derived from her connection to the Al-Fayed family, especially from her late husband’s vast business empire, which includes ownership of Harrods and the Ritz hotel in Paris. .
Social Media
- Instagram: Not applicable
- Twitter: Not applicable
