Middle East: Where the Money Is

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In Arab fashion, Bader is related to half of Kuwait's merchant fortunes and by marriage to the ruling family. He supports a family of nine brothers and sisters in addition to his beauteous wife Badriya (both his and her name mean full moon in Arabic). Badriya was the first Kuwait woman to appear unveiled in public; following her example, most girls in Kuwait now go unveiled. In a land without bars, nightclubs or public dancing, Bader and Badriya still manage to have fun. Bader likes to twist all night at private parties, then water-ski or ride full-blooded Arab stallions seven miles before breakfast. He owns a whole fleet of sports cars, a 75-ft. yacht, and homes in London and Beirut. In Kuwait, such conspicuous wealth is no longer unusual. One sheik bought 63 new American cars at a whack, and another recently departed for a European holiday armed with a cool $800,000 in traveler's checks. The check charges alone came to $8,000.